Robert Murphy - the enigma

[GVGjr]

There is no doubt that Robert Murphy is an extremely talented player but injuries aside, in my opinion, he has failed to live up to his potential.

Its hard to find a physical flaw, yes he isn't huge but he has good speed and athleticism and is a real modern day player.
Its hard to find a technical flaw in his game, he marks above his height, his kicking skills can be very good and he is versatile.

And yet....Murphy hasn't delivered on his talents.

He seems to coast along, whetting the appetite of those that desperately want to see him have a real break out season but never quite delivering.
Perhaps its his decision making because whilst he does have the ability to make the impossible look easy he also possess the uncanny knack of screwing up what should otherwise be a certainty.

I want to see him succeed, I also want to see him hurt when he makes silly mistakes and in this area I don't think he does.

He is far fitter than the same time 12 months ago and if we ever need this guy to step up from being regarded by the fans as a talented player to being regarded by the same fans as a match winner then he needs to make that move now.

I was encouraged by the way he answered the challenge on Friday night when he was sent to the backline, after some silly errors up forward, but I'm yet to be convinced that he will apply himself with the same manner in the next game or two.

He is entering his 9th season and is now regarded as an experienced player and I think its time for him to start delivering on a more consistent basis.

Thoughts? Am I being too hard on him?

[Bornadog]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

I know stats don't say it all, but here is a list of Murphy's career stats. Although his averages are poor, I think he is a real play maker, even thou he rarely handballs in a game. His kicks usually hit targets.



At almost 26 years of age, its time for Murphy to have an outstanding season.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

There is no doubt that Robert Murphy is an extremely talented player but injuries aside, in my opinion, he has failed to live up to his potential.

Its hard to find a physical flaw, yes he isn't huge but he has good speed and athleticism and is a real modern day player.
Its hard to find a technical flaw in his game, he marks above his height, his kicking skills can be very good and he is versatile.

And yet....Murphy hasn't delivered on his talents.

He seems to coast along, whetting the appetite of those that desperately want to see him have a real break out season but never quite delivering.
Perhaps its his decision making because whilst he does have the ability to make the impossible look easy he also possess the uncanny knack of screwing up what should otherwise be a certainty.

I want to see him succeed, I also want to see him hurt when he makes silly mistakes and in this area I don't think he does.

He is far fitter than the same time 12 months ago and if we ever need this guy to step up from being regarded by the fans as a talented player to being regarded by the same fans as a match winner then he needs to make that move now.

I was encouraged by the way he answered the challenge on Friday night when he was sent to the backline, after some silly errors up forward, but I'm yet to be convinced that he will apply himself with the same manner in the next game or two.

He is entering his 9th season and is now regarded as an experienced player and I think its time for him to start delivering on a more consistent basis.

Thoughts? Am I being too hard on him?

He's being asked to play a position that he is not physically suited to play. If he could play Gilbee's role he would be a star.

His biggest weakness is his goalkicking. Gia gets grief for his goalkicking but Gia is miles in front of Murph in front of goal.

[Mantis]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

His biggest weakness is his goalkicking. Gia gets grief for his goalkicking but Gia is miles in front of Murph in front of goal.

Is it??

Career stats:

Gia - 118.82 - Conversion rate = 1.44
Murf - 94.61 - Conversion rate = 1.54

But over the last 3 yrs Gia has certainly improved:

Gia - 58.33 = 1.77
Murf - 65.44 = 1.47

Still if my life depended on either of them kicking for my life I would rather do it myself.

[GVGjr]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

He's being asked to play a position that he is not physically suited to play. If he could play Gilbee's role he would be a star.

His biggest weakness is his goalkicking. Gia gets grief for his goalkicking but Gia is miles in front of Murph in front of goal.

You would hope that with Minson and Welsh up forward he could play a more natural forward role but I'm of the impression that if he is to become a better player then a move to the back line is required.

I agree about Gia being a better kick for goal, actually bornadog convinced me of that last year.

[GVGjr]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

I know stats don't say it all, but here is a list of Murphy's career stats. Although his averages are poor, I think he is a real play maker, even thou he rarely handballs in a game. His kicks usually hit targets.

At almost 26 years of age, its time for Murphy to have an outstanding season.

He isn't just due, he is overdue for a big season. With his improved fitness and an uninterrupted pre-season, I think this shapes as an important year for him and for the club.
I know a lot of it is body language but it doesn't normally seem to worry him when he turns the ball over stupidly. I did however, see some signs on Friday night that he was PO'd with himself for a couple of errors he made.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

Bit harsh. Before his injury he was one of the best 'midsize' forwards in the game. He doesn't need 30 touches a game to be dangerous

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

Murph is a very interesting one. I remember reading an article that Clayton wrote, probably around 2005, where he stated that Murph was still the best footballer that he had selected at a draft. A big call considering some of the fantastic talent that Clayton has got over the years.

The problem with Murph is he really does not have a position that he has made his. I personally would love to see him having a bit of a run through the wings, as his ball use is always very good, and for a slightly taller bloke he's got first class mobility and agility. Playing as a lead up forward he also does pretty well, but the sustainability of playing him there must be questioned. He'll also often be matched up against a taller, yet similarly talented player, and as such can find it difficult. I really enjoyed him going back last year, as he showed composure and great ball use, especially at times when our backline was devoid of run and skill.

So where does it leave Murph? Stuck between positions filling gaps in our structure as they arise. Not ideal.

[Mantis]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

He isn't just due, he is overdue for a big season. With his improved fitness and an uninterrupted pre-season, I think this shapes as an important year for him and for the club.
I know a lot of it is body language but it doesn't normally seem to worry him when he turns the ball over stupidly. I did however, see some signs on Friday night that he was PO'd with himself for a couple of errors he made.

Me too, but it didn't stop him doing it.

Is it expecting to much for our players to not make such simple mistakes?

I know that it frustrates the hell out of me and you can see when the camera pans to Eade that he gets extremely frustrated with the simple mistakes we make that cost us dearly.

How do you teach 'dumb' footballers not to make simple errors. Will our new training centre actually help the decision making of our players in game situations?

[wimberga]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

Murph is a very interesting one. I remember reading an article that Clayton wrote, probably around 2005, where he stated that Murph was still the best footballer that he had selected at a draft. A big call considering some of the fantastic talent that Clayton has got over the years.

The problem with Murph is he really does not have a position that he has made his. I personally would love to see him having a bit of a run through the wings, as his ball use is always very good, and for a slightly taller bloke he's got first class mobility and agility. Playing as a lead up forward he also does pretty well, but the sustainability of playing him there must be questioned. He'll also often be matched up against a taller, yet similarly talented player, and as such can find it difficult. I really enjoyed him going back last year, as he showed composure and great ball use, especially at times when our backline was devoid of run and skill.

So where does it leave Murph? Stuck between positions filling gaps in our structure as they arise. Not ideal.

Agree with this Griff, Good post.

I would alsolike to see Murph on one wing and Ray on the other. time will tell though.

Any chance of digging up that article??

[Twodogs]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

Bit harsh. Before his injury he was one of the best 'midsize' forwards in the game. He doesn't need 30 touches a game to be dangerous

He doesnt but he's capable of getting 30 touches a game at CHF. He doesnt get close to that number and that's why he is a frutrating player.



We dont need blokes who coast through games doing what they are comfortable doing, we need blokes who play to their absolute best most weeks.*











*Not a dig at Murph in particular-he's got plenty of mates in the coasting stakes.

[gohardorgohome]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

He seemed to be all at sea up forward in the NAB cup games. Not sure if it is confidence or playing with a niggling injury. I noticed that he was playing up back at the end of the game against Essendon which is a good move IMO. If he is not carrying an injury, I would play him up back for a praccy match or two just to let him get into a bit of form and confidence.

[GVGjr]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

How do you teach 'dumb' footballers not to make simple errors. Will our new training centre actually help the decision making of our players in game situations?

I know what you are saying and Murphy isn't a dumb footballer. He's a footballer more than an athlete turned footballer but he has these lapses that just take the edge of his game.

I don't expect perfection from anyone but he just makes more errors than he should. I think its just his concentration.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

Any chance of digging up that article??

Sadly, I don't think so. It was on the official site, and browsing on there a few weeks back I couldn't locate any of the old articles they had. Clayton had a whole lot of them where he would talk about the guys he had drafted, very interesting reads.

If I come across them, I'll post them.

[Mantis]

Re: Robert Murphy - the enigma

I know what you are saying and Murphy isn't a dumb footballer. He's a footballer more than an athlete turned footballer but he has these lapses that just take the edge of his game.

I don't expect perfection from anyone but he just makes more errors than he should. I think its just his concentration.

I don't understand how a player who reads the play so well and alwayd puts himself in the correct spot has so many mental fades when he has the ball in his hands. His pass to Tiller in the pocket in the 1st qtr when he was 40m out staright in front was not only poorly executed it was plain silly. Why would you pass the ball to a player in a worse position than yourself? I don't understand how a professional sportsman can make such a decision.