Kevin 'Bulldog' Murray (1955 - 1974)

[Grimreepah]

Murray named an AFL Legend (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/95656/default.aspx)
8:47 AM Fri 04 June, 2010

AFL Team of the Century member and nine-time Fitzroy Best and Fairest Winner Kevin Murray has been made a Legend of the Game by the AFL.

Murray, who played a club record 333 games for Fitzroy between 1955-74, was elevated to Legend Status at last night's Australian Football Hall of Fame dinner at the Palladium Room in Melbourne.

* Played 333 games for Fitzroy, 1955-64 and 1967-74, kicking 51 goals
* Played 44 games for East Perth 1965-66, kicking 20 goals.
* Played 24 games for Victoria.
* Played six games for Western Australia.
* Fitzroy Best and Fairest 1956, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1968, 1969.
* East Perth Best and Fairest 1965.
* Fitzroy Captain 1963-64 and 1967-72 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fitzroy_Football_Club_captains).
* AFL Team of the Century, Half Back.
* Fitzroy Team of the Century, Half Back (Captain).
* Brownlow Medal 1969.
* All Australian 1958, 1966.
* Fitzroy Pre-Season Premiership 1959.
* Fitzroy Coach 1963-64 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fitzroy_Football_Club_coaches).
* East Perth Coach 1965-66.

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/9822/kevinmurray.jpg

Tribute thread (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=715128)

[Grimreepah]

Mighty Kevin Murray, the proudest Roy (http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/mighty-kevin-murray-the-proudest-roy/story-e6frepf6-1225875217996)


Mike Sheahan
From: Herald Sun
June 04, 2010 12:00AM

He played 407 games for Fitzroy, Victoria, East Perth and Western Australia in 20 seasons, winning a place in the AFL Team of the (20th) Century and a Brownlow Medal. Yet, it was his selection as captain of Fitzroy's Team of the Century - ahead of Haydn Bunton - that sits as his proudest achievement.

"That stood out above everything," he said. "There was Bunton, (Alan) Ruthven, 'Butch' Gale, Garry Wilson, (John) Murphy, (Paul) Roos. It was the highest honour you could ever wish to have. "I'm really proud of the Brownlow, too, but it's an individual thing."

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/9822/kevinmurray.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Murray a Legend (http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/95647/default.aspx)
By Jason Phelan
10:01 PM Thu 03 June, 2010

Murray was an inaugural inductee into the Hall of Fame in 1996 on the back of a decorated 333-game career that saw him named All-Australian twice and win the Brownlow Medal in 1969.Murray is the only man to have captained both Western Australia and Victoria in state of origin football and he was introduced to the podium by two former teammates.

"It's an amazing feeling really because you heard Allen Aylett before and you heard Bobby Skilton and we just had something special going when we played for Victoria," Murray said. "I'm very fortunate. Football's been very good to me, [but] it's been hard work. It hasn't been easy."

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9822/kevinmurray.jpg

[3KZ is Football]

Does anyone think Kevin would be interested in an Assistant Coaching job at the Brisbane Lions?

I think he would make a HUGE difference to our on field performances.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/100560/default.aspx)

KEVIN MURRAY TRIBUTE LAP

Brisbane Lions Victorian-based fans will have the opportunity to honour Club great and AFL Legend Kevin 'Bulldog' Murray prior to this Sunday's match against Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

Murray became just the 23rd person in the history of the game to be officially elevated to Legend status back in June at the Australian Football Hall of Fame dinner in Melbourne.

Murray's latest achievement of becoming an official AFL Legend will be acknowledged prior to Sunday's game when he performs a lap of honour at Etihad Stadium.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/100711/default.aspx)

The unforgettable image of Murray standing in the old Brunswick Street Oval grandstand the morning after the Club’s 2001 Grand Final triumph remains one of the most symbolic moments in the Brisbane Lions’ merged history.

Proudly wearing a well-loved old Lions scarf, the former Club Captain and Coach cut a powerful figure as he belted out the team song together with thousands of the old Fitzroy faithful who cherished the long overdue premiership success.

To this day the Club remains as close to Murray’s heart as his much loved Brownlow Medal which he still keeps tucked underneath his shirt on a chain that he wears around his neck.

[Lionheart182]

Gee he's got some passion. Wouldn't hurt to have a few Kevin Murrays at the club helping run things.

[Grimreepah]

Kevin Murray Tribute Lap (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/101053/default.aspx)

Brisbane-based Lions fans will have the opportunity to honour Club great and AFL Legend Kevin 'Bulldog' Murray prior to this Saturday night's match against the Sydney Swans at the Gabba.

Murray will perform his second lap of honour in as many weeks after being acknowledged by the Club's Victorian fans prior to last Sunday's game against Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/103420/default.aspx)

Murray once played in 42 consecutive losses with Fitzroy (between 1962 and 1967) and experienced just two VFL finals throughout his illustrious career.

On a personal note, Murray will forever remember the 2010 season fondly after achieving ‘Legend’ status at the AFL Hall of Fame Dinner and performing a tribute lap in both Victoria and Queensland respectively prior to the Lions’ Round 21 and Round 22 matches.

“I would like to thank the Club for an amazing day at Etihad Stadium and the night at the Gabba,” he said. “It was fantastic to be there and see Jonathan Brown play his 200th game. All the players lifted to make sure that we had a win and, most of all, Browny led from the front.”

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9822/kevinmurray.jpg

[3KZ is Football]

I was lucky enough to see Kevin Murray play during the last 4 - 5 years of his career at Fitzroy and this is just how I remember him, hard at it and relentless.

LimchehuHPA

Murray provides a good overview of his career and the players he played with at Fitzroy here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ_TcZPz_cA&playnext=1&list=PL93DE9FB3A0BBD3AB&index=28

[Grimreepah]

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/5640/murray3.jpg

[LIONHART]

Mighty Kevin Murray, the proudest Roy (http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/mighty-kevin-murray-the-proudest-roy/story-e6frepf6-1225875217996)


Mike Sheahan
From: Herald Sun
June 04, 2010 12:00AM



my all-time favourite fitzroy player, no-one empitomises fitzroy better than bulldog murray, my boyhood hero growing up.

407 consecutive games would be a record that would never be broken if they had all been played in the vfl/afl.

[3KZ is Football]

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/5640/murray3.jpg

Cheers for this picture Grimreepah. My father was at this game and he told me about this mark. If I remember the story correctly, it was taken not long after Barassi had taken a similar "hanger" over Murray. It was a case of "Bulldog" saying anything you can do I can do better.

http://www.fitzroyfc.com.au/2011FFCMembershipform.pdf

[Grimreepah]

Link to webpage (http://www.fitzroyfc.com.au/kevin_murray.htm)

Kevin Murray captained Fitzroy a record 159 times. This was in the years 1963-1964 and 1967-1972. He was also coach in 1963-1964. His courage and tenacity earned the respect of his teammates and he often played with injury, particularly in the latter part of his career.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9822/kevinmurray.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Fitzroy Team of the Century (http://www.footystamps.com/fl_team_of_the_century.htm)


Back Line Bill Stephen Fred Hughson Frank Curico
Half Back Line Kevin Murray (c) Paul Roos Gary Pert
Centre Line Wilfred Smallhorn John Murphy Warwick Irwin
Half Forward Line Owen Abrahams Bernie Quinlan Gary Wilson (vc)
Forward Line Allan Ruthven Jack Moriarty Norm Brown
Followers Alan Gale Norm Johnstone Haydn Bunton
Interchange Michael Conlan Alaistar Lynch Harvey Merrigan
Richard Osborne Percy Parratt Percy Trotter
Coach Len Smith



http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/9822/kevinmurray.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Victoria Team of the Century (http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/victoria.htm)


Back Line Jack Mueller Jack Regan Kevin Murray
Half Back Line Bruce Doull Ted Whitten Francis Bourke
Centre Line Keith Greig Greg Williams Robert Flower
Half Forward Line Peter Daicos Laurie Nash Gary Ablett
Forward Line Bob Skilton Bob Pratt Jack Dyer
Followers John Nicholls Roy Cazaly Dick Reynolds
Interchange Reg Hickey Leigh Matthews Frank Johnson
Harry Cumberland Len Fitzgerald Paul Salmon
Coach Norm Smith

Never the most elegant or poised of footballers Kevin Murray did not let such trifling matters stand in the way of his effectiveness. With pace, good judgement, and a tremendous leap Murray was equally effective both in the backlines and on the ball. He was also an inspirational leader who skippered Fitzroy for 8 seasons, captain-coached them in 1963 and 1964, and captain-coached East Perth in 1965 and 1966. Twice an All Australian (once with the VFL, once with Western Australia) Murray was a veritable stalwart of the interstate scene donning the Big V jumper 24 times and representing Western Australia on 6 occasions.

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/9822/kevinmurray.jpg

[Grimreepah]

AFL team of the century (http://www.users.on.net/%7Epwong/totc.htm)

B: B. Smith, S. Silvagni, J. Nicholls
HB: B. Doull, T. Whitten (c) K. Murray
C: F. Bourke, I. Stewart, K. Greig
HF: A. Jesaulenko, R. Hart, D. Reynolds
F: L. Matthews, J. Coleman, H. Bunton
R: G. Farmer, R. Barassi, B. Skilton
I/C: G. Ablett, J. Dyer, G. Williams
Coach: N. Smith


http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7287/murrayz.jpg

[kwame]

used to live around the corner from me when i was a kid....would sign all the kids footy cards in the neighbourhood when they knocked on his door and show you his brownlow medal

[Grimreepah]

Fitzroy Brownlow vote career totals (http://stats.rleague.com/afl/brownlow/fitzroy_totals.html)

Kevin Murray - 178
Garry Wilson - 161
Haydn Bunton - 122
Wilfred Smallhorn - 100
Paul Roos - 98
John Murphy - 97
Alan Ruthven - 97
Bernie Quinlan - 59
Bill Stephen - 59
Ron Alexander - 51

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4420/kevinmurray5.jpg

AFL Leading Brownlow vote getters (http://stats.rleague.com/afl/brownlow/totals0.html)

1. Gary Dempsey - 246
2. Robert Harvey - 215
3. Leigh Matthews - 202
4. Bob Skilton - 180
5. Kevin Murray - 178
6. Nathan Buckley - 178
7. Scott West - 175
8. Bill Hutchison - 172
9. Keigh Greig - 165
10. Simon Black - 164*

[Grimreepah]

Link to webpage (http://www.jcap.com.au/image?img=48)

http://img707.imageshack.us/edit_preview.php?l=img707/6216/kevinmurraymed.jpg&action=rotate

Fitzroy legend Kevin Murray has been captured here at his gritty, determined best. Ploughing through the mud at Brunswick Street, steely eyed and ready to launch the waterlogged ball forward for his beloved lions. The original canvas stands a colossal 3 metres high.

[Grimreepah]

http://img255.imageshack.us/edit_preview.php?l=img255/4296/kevinmurray7.jpg&action=rotate

[Grimreepah]

2009 Bushfires (http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/cheque-that-said-we-love-you-kevin/2009/08/19/1250362117915.html)
August 20, 2009

Fitzroy legend Kevin Murray lost his Flowerdale holiday retreat in the Black Saturday bushfires last February. The home was not Murray's regular residence - he lives in Arcadia, near Shepparton - but nevertheless, the loss of his second residence was a massive blow to the 71-year-old as it was not insured.

As proof of what Murray means to Fitzroy the Fitzroy Brisbane Lions Past Players and Officials Association recently organised a president's luncheon during which it launched an appeal for him.

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/1718/murray.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Footy's greats visit Hall of Fame (http://www.nsm.org.au/Whats%20On/Latest%20News/2010/June/AFHOF_Inductees.aspx)
Jun 04, 2010

Several of this year's inductees in the Australian Football Hall of Fame visited the hall of fame’s home at the MCG’s National Sports Museum on Friday to unveil a display in their honour.

Murray has loaned some key items from his decorated career to the National Sports Museum, including:
• Murray’s MBE (awarded in 1974 for services to sport).
• Murray’s Julius Marlow medal, awarded in 1960 to the VFL Best and Fairest player by public vote (the only one of these awards ever conferred) and his 1965 Simpson Medal.
• Murray’s number one Fitzroy guernsey, worn from 1967-74.
• Murray’s back brace, worn throughout his 333-game career.

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/1718/murray.jpg

[Grimreepah]

St Kilda Cricket Ground (http://www.onmydoorstep.com.au/heritage-listing/117260/st-kilda-cricket-ground)

A new grandstand was built in 1925-6 at a cost of $7000, designed by the architect E J Clark and built by H H Eilenberg. It was originally called the G P Newman Stand but has been renamed the Kevin Murray Stand after one of the club's most famous footballers.

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8570/kevinmurray6.jpg

[Grimreepah]

1964 Soccer Exhibition Match (http://www.vulgar.com.au/libero/slavia.html)

Jack Dyer, ‘Captain Blood’ challenged Slavia-Port Melbourne to match to raise money for the Victorian Society for Crippled Children and Adults.

Slavia right-winger, Hammy McMeechan said, “They were decent guys, especially Kevin Murray. They respected us for our skills and as people.”

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/27/barotajsmurray.jpg
Slavia keeper Ray Barotajs and Fitzroy's Kevin Murray

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5711/footysoccersmall.jpg
VFL team members, Paul Vinar, Stuart Magee, Gordon Collis and Kevin Murray (l to r)

[Grimreepah]

WEG posters:

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8570/kevinmurray6.jpg

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/4296/kevinmurray7.jpg

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1560/wtlbripl.jpg
Haydn Bunton, Alan Ruthven, Bernie Quinlan and Kevin Murray

[Grimreepah]

Bill Lokan interview (http://www.nafc.com.au/history/reminisces/p2673.aspx)

TB- Fitzroy has a proud history having produced such legends as Haydn Bunton Snr, Chicken Smallhorn, Kevin Murray and Bernie Quinlan to name a few. Did you sense their proud heritage during your time there?

BL- Yes, Kevin Murray in particular was often at games and knew all the players personally.

[Grimreepah]

AFL legends (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/halloffame)

The Knowledge: Famous for his tenacity and durability, but Murray was also a dashing defender/ruckrover, with tremendous judgement and the ability to take a strong mark.

You might not know: Murray's father Dan was the 19th man in Fitzroy's last premiership team in 1944.
When Kevin Murray became a VFL player, Dan would put a blanket on the kitchen table the night before the game and give his son an hour-long massage.

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/7835/kevinmurray4.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Link to article (http://www.kangaroos.com.au/History/PlayerHistory/AlbertMantello/tabid/16138/Default.aspx)

Alf Brown once wrote that an Albert Mantello stoush with Kevin Murray was the longest toe-to-toe punchup he had ever seen.

[Grimreepah]

Heart of a Lion (http://shop.nla.gov.au/product_info.php?products_id=9876)

At the age of 36 Kevin Murray was still chasing leather in a Fitzroy jumper. On 24 August 1974, he ran through a banner declaring "Fitzroy is my life" and broke the record of Carlton legend John Nicholls for most VFL games played. He retired the following week with a total of 333 senior day games with Fitzroy and 424 games of top-level football in Victoria and Western Australia. At the time, these were both national records.

Throughout Kevin Murray"s 22 years at the top level of the sport and the almost 30 years since that time, he has won universal regard and admiration from friend and on-field foe alike for the way he carries himself and treats people. He truly is the "Heart of the Lion" and retains the title of favourite son in the Fitzroy and Brisbane Lion"s history.

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/9822/kevinmurray.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Fitzroy chronology (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/23734/default.aspx)

1954 - Kevin Murray won the Jim Freake Memorial Award in the Second 18 for Best Junior at age 15. Murray began his career at Fitzroy in 1952 as a 13-year-old, training with the Under 19s.

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/7835/kevinmurray4.jpg

[Grimreepah]

'For the Love of the Jumper' book launch (http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/other/fitzroys-greatest-unveils-history/566939.aspx)
27 Sep, 2002

Kevin Murray was kept busy signing copies of the book at the launch.He also enthralled the crowd of past players and loyal supporters with his anecdotes from the club's history.
His final heartfelt comment expressed total commitment to the team: "Just being part of Fitzroy Football Club was enough of a gift for me."

[Grimreepah]

http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/4296/kevinmurray7.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Blueseum (http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Serge+Silvagni)

1971 Poll on Best Ruck-Rovers of all-time

1st - Ron Barassi (Melbourne / Carlton)
2nd - Kevin Murray (Fitzroy)
3rd - Sergio Silvagni (Carlton)

[Grimreepah]

Legend status 'more important than Brownlow' (http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4311/newsid/95652/default.aspx)
By Jason Phelan
1:08 AM Fri 04 Jun, 2010

Murray took the opportunity to pay tribute to his departed father, who also played for the Roys, and spoke of his pride at his family's involvement with the club."It was a very proud moment [when I made my debut] because my dad played in the last premiership at Fitzroy in 1944," he said.
"He was very good to us kids even though we were very poor in our young days. Dad always took us camping to Apollo Bay or Port Fairy or we'd be down the river catching eels in the Yarra. We just had a marvellous time in our young days.
"To be able to play with Fitzroy, and I was there 20 years … and to have my brother Ronny, who has passed away and my brother Danny to play with Fitzroy was just an amazing time for us all."

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/6796/murraymedal246a.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Link to webpage (http://www.sportscomet.com/sports_thread/view/id-5689)

Fitzroys final match was against fremantle at subiaco oval in perth -- the day started with the unfirling of fitzroys 1944 premiership flag (the last it won under its own identity) and there was a parade of former champions including Kevin Murray Bernie Quinlan and Ron Alexander. Fitzroy went down by 86 points to fremantle.

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/4420/kevinmurray5.jpg

[Grimreepah]

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2074/kevinmurray2.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Chronology of Fitzroy (http://www.fitzroyfc.com.au/chronology.html)

1956 - Kevin Murray becomes the youngest ever winner of the Best and Fairest Award aged 17.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/6951/kevinmurray1.jpg

[LIONHART]

grim, you are bringing back some wonderful memories, thanks.

but also some painful ones, what the afl did to a foundation member of the league will remain in the annals of time as one of the most dispicable acts of all time.

[Grimreepah]

Link to article (http://www.evri.com/media/article;jsessionid=17j4pdpbotvk2?title=The+imbalance+of+powe r&page=http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-imbalance-of-power-20100730-10zul.html&referring_uri=/person/kevin-murray-0x89bfe%3Bjsessionid%3D17j4pdpbotvk2&referring_title=Evri)

Of the top 28 Brownlow vote-getters of all time I could find only three - Andrew McLeod, Kevin Murray and Francis Bourke - who had some familiarity with the back half of the ground, even given that McLeod spent plenty of time in the middle, Murray was recognised as a champion ruck rover and Bourke as an elite wingman in their day.

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4420/kevinmurray5.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Lion-hearted Murray (http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/95508/default.aspx)

Murray wasn't one for a cushy office job to protect his body from week to week between matches. Instead, he spent most of his working life working as a scaffolder, lugging metal pipes, blocks of wood and bricks up, down and across building sites throughout Melbourne.

"If you had injuries, you'd work them out of you because you were always moving. It was gym work without going to the gym. You were out in the elements - the heat, the cold and the wind - and that was a big help to my football."

'Bulldog' as he was fondly known, was runner-up in the Brownlow in 1960 and again in 1962 and pined to go one better. He did so in 1969. Murray played a key role in the merger between his beloved Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears - not in any administrative sense but simply because he gave it his blessing. His approval of the union between the two clubs convinced many Fitzroy supporters to throw their support behind the Brisbane Lions.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1696/kevinmurray12.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Link to article (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/wayne-carey-finally-makes-it-but-has-to-share-stage-with-kevin-murray/story-e6frg7mf-1225875225252)

Murray holds one of the more dubious records in AFL history, having played in more losses - 208 - then any other player.

[Grimreepah]

Trivia question (http://footystats.freeservers.com/Daily/Diary-03-04questions.html)

QUESTION: Of the players to have received Brownlow Medal honours, who on the night of the count was the oldest to win?

ANSWER: Three players have been 31-plus ...

1981, Barry Round (South Melb) 31 years, 238 days
1969, Kevin Murray (Fitzroy) 31 years, 75 days
2003, Nathan Buckley (C'wood) 31 years, 57 days

[Grimreepah]

1955 debuts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_VFL_debuts_in_1955)

Round = 4
Age = 16 years, 323 days

[Grimreepah]

Max Crow (http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/underbooly/story-e6freck3-1225714982391)

He would watch the Lions train and loved meeting the players, particularly Kevin Murray, whose old boots had found their way to young Crow."I met Kevin 13-14 times; even in the finish he still didn't know who I was."
As fate would have it, Crow played his second game on his hero.
"As we went to our positions, I put my hand out and said, 'G'day, Mr Murray'.
"They took me off at three-quarter time. I hadn't had a kick. Not a touch." Not even a word of encouragement from Murray.
"He was probably 33-34 then." (He was rising 36 and in his last season, but "Bulldog" Murray was fiercely competitive to the end.)

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/8570/kevinmurray6.jpg

[Grimreepah]

The Father-Son Rule: A great tradition (http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/newsfeatures/news/newsarticle/tabid/5586/newsid/3227/default.aspx)

While the father-son rule has provided many clubs with the opportunity to continue the family tradition, two of the game’s greatest players – Ron Barassi jnr and Kevin Murray were early pioneers of the ruling.

Murray, a Fitzroy legend, followed in his father’s footsteps at the Roys, after being recruited via the father-son rule. He was zoned to near-by club Collingwood – but under the established rule was able to join Fitzroy.

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/7362/kevinmurray3.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Link to article (http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/champions-touching-tribute-to-the-game-20100605-xlwt.html)

The game's newly anointed Legend, Kevin Murray, and the little Collingwood battler, Tony Shaw, are both products of Melbourne's inner-northern suburbs. In their time and place, sport, apart from family, was sometimes all a young boy had.''Bulldog'' Murray keeps his counsel on the personal detail, but volunteers that without football he could easily have headed "down the wrong road".

Murray was fortunate in having a father who played the game; indeed Dan Murray was on the bench for Fitzroy in the club's 1944 premiership. Young Kevin also found a mentor in Father John Brosnan, his coach at St Joseph's College, Collingwood, who would later become chaplain of Pentridge Prison.

So convinced was Brosnan of the young Murray's potential to win a Brownlow Medal that he once vowed to give up drinking until it happened. One assumes he was sustained by faith and altar wine, taken only for liturgical purposes of course, through the nine years in which Bulldog finished among the top three vote-getters without winning. That Murray eventually became the oldest Brownlow medallist in history lends an almost biblical touch to a story which Bulldog has a clipping to verify.

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/7835/kevinmurray4.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Link to article (http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1063762)

He won the Brownlow in 1969, aged 31, and received the award wearing a long-sleeved guernsey at his parents' request so his famous tattoos were not visible.

Murray was originally a defender and later played as a ruck-rover.
He had great pace and skill and was a strong mark.

Murray once played out a season despite tearing a shoulder muscle off the bone. By the time he won the Brownlow, Murray was wearing a back brace during games and often needed treatment twice a week just so he could play.

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/4296/kevinmurray7.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Like Father Like Son (http://books.google.com.au/books?id=0oKXpbaaCyMC&pg=PA109&lpg=PA109&dq=kevin+murray+lions&source=bl&ots=ImVaK3om05&sig=sR6GdBtkF4BlTQLcsRlf-AlITzE&hl=en&ei=U0dITamCHY3IvQOd5vjvBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDIQ6AEwBDg8#v=onepage&q=kevin%20murray%20lions&f=false)

Fitzroy was certainly not a successful side in Kevin's time, as only two of his massive 333 games were finals. So there were many hard times.

'When I took on the playing-coaching role at Fitzroy in 1963/64, because Len Smith was having heart problems, we lost sme wonderful players, players who retired who had about a thousand games between them. Players like Butch Gale, Tny Ongarello and Owen Abrahams. Terrific players. No-one wanted the job, so I took it on. We only won one game in two years and the game we won was against Geelng and I happened to be away with the state side playing under Bob Davis, who was the Geelong coach at the time'.

'Then a reform group came in and told me they wanted me to stay as a player but not as coach. They were going to bring Bill Stephen back from Yarrawonga to be non-playing coach. I finished up leaving and going to WA to coach. I'd made up my mind, when I left to go there, that I was starting my football career again.'

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/4296/kevinmurray7.jpg
Dan and Kevin Murray

[Grimreepah]

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/3538/jonathanbrownkevinmurra.jpg

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/1078/kevinmurray14.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Link to article (http://www.carltonfc.com.au/newsarticle/tabid/4311/newsid/19451/default.aspx)

Abrahams went on to kick 230 for his career and, alongside the legendary Kevin Murray, was among the first two Fitzroy players to be selected in an All-Australian side.

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1696/kevinmurray12.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Western Australia Player Details (http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/1966_carnival_wa_player_details.htm)

Age = 27
Height = 180cm
Weight = 82.5kgs

Half back flank specialist, one of the best in Australia. He has been playing in the ruck for the Royals. Strong, hard hitting player who goes straight for the ball and relies mainly on pace and excellent ball handling. Captained the VFL in 1964, and former captain-coach of Fitzroy, he was appointed to his present position as captain-coach of East Perth last year. Appointed state coach in place of Jim Conway (Claremont) who resigned from the position last year. Occupation: Sales Representative.

http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/2126/kevinmurray8.jpg

[Grimreepah]

dZ_TcZPz_cA&feature=related

[Grimreepah]

Before the Brownlow's were glitzy (http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=68076)

It's all terribly different to 1969, when Kevin Murray was at a function organised by a Fitzroy coterie group, the Lionhunters, who held their own best and fairest count and listened to the Brownlow count on radio.

"I happened to win on that night, and about 30 of them carried me on their shoulders down Bourke St, blocking the trams, down to Swanston St. We did a right hand turn up to the Town Hall, blocking the trams again, then another right hand turn into Collins St, still blocking the trams, and back to Queen St, where the dinner was," Murray said before the 2008 count.

It was a happier occasion than in 1961, when Murray was bookies' favourite for the medal. Lou Richards and Ron Casey from HSV-7 sat in his kitchen listening to the count on radio. "They bolted half way through when it was clear I wasn't going to win," Murray said.

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/4628/kevinmurray17.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Living Legend headlines new Club (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/108766/default.aspx)
10:23 AM Fri 04 Mar, 2011

There is probably no more prominent figure in our Club’s history than Kevin ‘Bulldog’ Murray.

Now, courtesy of the support from the long-standing Lion Hunters coterie group, Murray will be the guest of honour at every Lions match-day function in Victoria as part of his very own Hyundai Kevin Murray Club.

“It is a tremendous honour to have this club named after me,” Murray said.

“I’ve very much enjoyed attending the Victorian Chairman’s Circle and Lion Hunter functions over the years and hope that this new event can bring everyone together to enjoy a good day out at the footy.”

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/4489/kevinmurray16.jpg

[TheBrownDog]

Just keeps giving and giving to the club.

An inspiration.

[Grimreepah]

2001 Premiership (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/108559/default.aspx)

It had been 57 years since any supporter of the maroon, blue and gold had witnessed the ultimate glory, and the old grandstand that once rocked and roared behind the likes of Haydn Bunton, Allan ‘The Baron’ Ruthven and Kevin ‘Bulldog’ Murray was full to the rafters with supporters young and old.

The unforgettable image of Murray standing in the old grandstand remains one of the most symbolic representations of the Club’s proud Fitzroy heritage.

[Grimreepah]

Link to article (http://nicollprintandpaint.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html)

Some weeks later, Sue and Bill wrote to Kevin to express their
gratitude. A letter came back soon after, written from Kevin’s
home at Arcadia , in which Kevin says,

‘The most important thing that I have learnt from all my hard
years at Fitzroy and 40 years climbing around scaffolds in the
building trade , you never forget where you came from, we all
have to start somewhere. Meeting Bill that day gave me as
much enjoyment as it did to Bill, because when I was at Fitzroy
it was people like Bill who gave me the inspiration to achieve
what I did during my career.”

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5618/kevinmurray19.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Kevin Murray's record as coach (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fitzroy_Football_Club_coaches):

Duration: 1963 - 1964
Games: 34
Wins: 0
Draws: 0
Losses: 34

[LIONHART]

Kevin Murray's record as coach (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fitzroy_Football_Club_coaches):

Duration: 1963 - 1964
Games: 34
Wins: 0
Draws: 0
Losses: 34



a perfect record, who else but bulldog murray would have a perfect record like that, it would have been terrible spoiling it with a win

seriously though ... how sad he couldn't have had a better win/loss record

[patfullfankezz]

I remember having my photo taken with Kevin-he put his Brownlow around my neck!

:-)

Absolute legend.

[Grimreepah]

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/9822/kevinmurray.jpg

Kevin Murray and Bob Skilton at the Brownlow

[Grimreepah]

twitter (http://twitter.com/#%21/brisbanelions/status/139236676202541056)

Lions Legend Kevin Murray takes a sneak peek at the Club's new memorabilia display at Etihad Stadium http://twitpic.com/7i84s3

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/3707/murray1.jpg

twitter (http://twitter.com/#%21/brisbanelions/status/139238335590838272)

Check out 'Bulldog' Murray's Lions shoes! http://twitpic.com/7i87e4

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/5723/murray2.jpg

[LIONHART]

twitter (http://twitter.com/#%21/brisbanelions/status/139236676202541056)



twitter (http://twitter.com/#%21/brisbanelions/status/139238335590838272)


there's certainly no doubting kevin murray's loyalities, i reckon he would bleed red & yellow & blue.