Veteran midfielder Marc Murphy intent on being at Carlton when young talent matures

Having endured the tough times during his career at Carlton, Marc Murphy is determined to prove his desire to be part of the club's resurgence in 2020 and beyond.

Dustin Martin of the Tigers fends off Marc Murphy of the Blues during the Round 1 AFL match between Richmond and Carlton at the MCG in Melbourne, Thursday, March 19, 2020. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Carlton’s Marc Murphy says he is determined to play well into his 30s, confident he can still be at Ikon Park when the club’s exciting young list finally matures.

The unrestricted free agent ignored Geelong’s overtures to sign a two-year deal in 2018 that expires this year and the ex-captain is adamant he made the right decision.

Murphy will be one of around 300 players who could be playing this year past the October 31 expiration of their current contracts, with talks continuing on exactly what happens to those 2020 deals.

But Murphy is in no doubt he has the fire and the belly and form under his belt to play on past this year, with Carlton confident he is part of their future.

Marc Murphy tries to collar Richmond star Dustin Martin in Round 1.

The 32-year-old said he was loving the journey after 19 games and an eighth-placed finish in the John Nicholls Trophy last year, with 300 games in sight given a current tally of 269 matches.

“I have a strong belief I can play for a few more years yet. So having been stuck at home as well and being out of footy for three weeks, I know I am still really motivated to keep playing,” he said.

“As long as my body and mind are willing I will keep putting my hand up to play for as long as I can as long as I can.

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“There is no doubt it will get to a certain point where mentally or physically I don't feel up to it but hopefully that’s still a while away.

“This pre-season I was running really well and I am really motivated. I am really enjoying my time with Teaguey (coach David Teague) and the other body and Cripper (Patrick Cripps) and Doc (Sam Docherty) are leading the way. I am enjoying being part of it.”

Marc Murphy (right) celebrates kicking the matchwinner against Fremantle last year with Zach Fisher.

Carlton’s elder statesmen in Matthew Kreuzer, Murphy and Kade Simpson have been stalwarts at the club but all have strong claims to play on into 2021.

Simpson would be the only contender to retire on his terms given Kreuzer still has football ahead of him.

“There was a brief chat with them throughout January, then Nick Austin came on as our new list manager,” Murphy said of contract talks.

“He is only a month into the role so it will be a discussion at some point. I don’t really want to go anywhere, I love the footy club. I really believe in what we are doing. The body feels good, mentally I am good and I am sure it will look after itself.”

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Meanwhile, Murphy has urged caution in the bid to slash list sizes to as low as 30, aware clubs often go deep into their 44-player lists during a season.

“I know in previous years we have used 35 or 36 blokes. You also have to think about the reserves competition and how guys would stay fit? It would be bloody tough being a young bloke called up who hadn’t played for a month,” he said.

“There is a lot of uncertainty and things being bandied around. But you have 10 guys normally injured on a list, and guys in development stages who aren’t ready so I don’t think they can make the switch to 35 this year to next.

“If they are going to do it they need to give the list managers time to adjust. It can’t be a knee-jerk reaction from this year to next.”

Originally published as Veteran midfielder Marc Murphy intent on being at Carlton when young talent matures