Robert Murphy ACL?

[getgaff]

The game of AFL is a cold hearted b1tch sometimes. By the sounds of it the ball is entirely in Bob's court, if he wants to go around again a new contract is waiting but like Judd last year i fear this will be the last we see of the Rascal and that pains me. Will take a lot of self motivation as early to mid 30s player to go through a full rehab in the knowledge that he might do it again for a 3rd time.

Think Darcy summed it up well on Talking Footy last night, Bob has gained a greater appreciation from the AFL as a whole since appearing in the media more (AFL 360) and since becoming a captain, has certainly gained greater appreciation from me in that time but the Bulldogs saw all these qualities in him as a scrawny kid when he was drafted. One of the genuinely likeable characters and I;d love to see him go around again and get that elusive premiership even if it is not as captain anymore.

All the best Rob and you can rest easy in the knowledge you are widely loved in the AFL and your decision whatever it is will be backed

 

[bresker]

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-11/lars-or-regular-reco-thats-the-question-facing-bob-murphy

Lars highly unlikely.

Having had time to process the injury, I'm comfortable with the idea of Bob retiring at this point.

It's romantic to think of him going round another year but his 34th is in a few weeks, if memory serves. We aren't the poor campaigners forcing our bodies through a 2nd reco, all that rehab and his 17th pre-season.


Have any players come back from a reco at the age of 34?


If he comes back I'll be rapt but surprised. I'll always love the bloke but time catches up with every favourite. The club abides man, the club abides.

 

[cryptor]

Will be interesting to see how the Dogs respond to this...

Do they flounder a bit with the loss of his on field leadership and his importance to the team structurally? (JJ is going to cop more attention now and Suckling might not be able to play as high up the ground now)

Or does the harsh reality of 'this is how easily you can lose your chance, and it can happen to even the best blokes' galvanize the playing group and see them go on to "do it for Bob"?

 

[ossie_21]

Will be interesting to see how the Dogs respond to this...

Do they flounder a bit with the loss of his on field leadership and his importance to the team structurally? (JJ is going to cop more attention now and Suckling might not be able to play as high up the ground now)

Or does the harsh reality of 'this is how easily you can lose your chance, and it can happen to even the best blokes' galvanize the playing group and see them go on to "do it for Bob"?

To be fair & honest, this group can adapt to his loss just like Libba last year. While we can't replace his on field leadership & experience directly, as others have said nobody is bigger than the club & we will move on - but the character Bob is will mean they will put even more heart into the rest of the season. I'm sure he will be up in the coaches box & in the huddles during each break willing the team on.

JJ was going to get more attention regardless of Murphy's injury, after the first quarter against the Hawks he got tagged out of the game more or less. Sucking wasn't recruited for that role, can fill on but I don't think we'd want him there too often. Adcock can fill the position quite well, someone like Wood may have to change the type of role he plays but that would be a shame as I think he's elite at reading the play & knowing where to position himself rather than be the one setting up the play. Something beneficial for the long run would be giving youngsters like Webb more game time, elite kicking skills but needs more speed & endurance but that will only come with time & games experience. As many have said, we can replace the position but not the player

 

[Wild Bill]

He will be back. Dogs can win a flag in the next couple of years.

Look at the form Boomer is in. Age is irrelevant if you can add value.

 

[Spongebob]

Good interview with Murphy in The Age this morning.

Great quote about athletes and injury:

As they rode the emotional wave a second time last month, a Bulldogs psychologist told Justine that athletes live in their bodies 24-7 but when their bodies break they're stuck in their heads. They struggle because it is new to them, and it's not where they want to be.

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainm...ggies-captain-bob-murphy-20160513-goudam.html