Marc Murphy launches a defence of his season and vows to break free of tagsRead Article (http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/marc-murphy-launches-a-defence-of-his-season-and-vows-to-break-free-of-tags/story-fndv8f7j-1226692385983)
MARC Murphy has launched a spirited defence of his season, vowing to break the tagging shackles despite battling an ongoing knee problem.
Murphy this week revealed his right knee has required constant management this year, restricting him to one training session a week
Time to tip him out I reckon. I reckon he came back too early from the jaw injury because as the Captain he wanted to do the right thing.
We have seen what he can do in his 2011 All-Australian season, and he just is struggling to play at that level.
Get it right for next season.
I agree, finals are gone, let's just tip him out and play the kids. That means full games into the likes of Buckley, Graham and possibly Menzel.
Just on this, it sort of contradicts what MM has had to say does it not? MM told him to toughen up and two days later he's come out saying he's got a bung knee?
Much respect for Marc toughing it out this season with a broken jaw and bung knee, some players sook over a sore toe.
Just on this, it sort of contradicts what MM has had to say does it not? MM told him to toughen up and two days later he's come out saying he's got a bung knee?
Perhaps, but I have been to two of the open training sessions this season (the most recent one was less than four weeks ago) and that day I did not sight Marc Murphy, Andrew Carrazzo, nor Chris Judd training with the main group. Most of the others were there.
Much respect for Marc toughing it out this season with a broken jaw and bung knee, some players sook over a sore toe.
First of all - it was a cheekbone, second of all, if his knee has been so bung that even his 2 week layoff with the cheekbone didn't help it at all.....whereby in fact since coming back from the cheekbone he's looked lame almost......well then - he gets absolutely no kudos from me for labouring with an injury which prevents him training a full week, every week & is causing his onfield performances to drop below an acceptable level. If you're injured, can barely train & this is clearly reflected on gameday for all & sundry to see AND to the detriment of the team.....I'm hardly gonna be congratulating him for that. You're easily pleased mbb......
If he is injured he shouldnt be playing......he couldnt catch Crowley so that knee must be bad.
Why you would keep playing one of our best players in a year when we have no chance of winning a GF is beyond me....we have other player players to captain
the team and I would be resting him for the rest of the season.
Much respect for Marc toughing it out this season with a broken jaw and bung knee, some players sook over a sore toe.
Agree, he's three feet nothing, decent, fair player, captain and look like a 12 year old boy. Always going to be an easy target for opposition slime balls.
Much respect for Marc toughing it out this season with a broken jaw and bung knee, some players sook over a sore toe.
First of all - it was a cheekbone, second of all, if his knee has been so bung that even his 2 week layoff with the cheekbone didn't help it at all.....whereby in fact since coming back from the cheekbone he's looked lame almost......well then - he gets absolutely no kudos from me for labouring with an injury which prevents him training a full week, every week & is causing his onfield performances to drop below an acceptable level. If you're injured, can barely train & this is clearly reflected on gameday for all & sundry to see AND to the detriment of the team.....I'm hardly gonna be congratulating him for that. You're easily pleased mbb......
The history of AFL footy is filled with stories of players playing through injury, rightly or wrongly. If he pulled out with a sore knee we'd all be complaining that he's a sooky la la.
so why isnt graham playing?
Much respect for Marc toughing it out this season with a broken jaw and bung knee, some players sook over a sore toe.
Agree, it has been obvious to anyone who watches Carlton in detail that Murphy has been carrying a problem for more than half the season so far. He has had zero ability to break away for most of the season, looks slow by his standard and lacks agility. I reckon something went wrong after about Rnd 7 or 8, at that time he started playing more forward than anything else.
As for his season, if Port drop back you rest him up and try to get to the finals without him, so he can have his best chance in a final. If North draw level or if Port go another game ahead it would be season over for Murph, we cannot bridge the gap to North's percentage and if Port get an upset win over one of the two top sides they must play it's over, imho!
It's over anyway. If it's as bad as murph says it is why flog a dead horse?
so why isnt graham playing?
Its Malthouses way to protect the player from a baptism of fire so to speak.
Something that pretty much our entire list has had to do, except for our most recent couple of draft periods.
It will at least ensure that they are fit enough, durable, reliable and most importantly can play their role to a tee. Its also why we look at some clubs, and we state, they have "found another one" pretty much every time they bring in a new player.
I have looked at Collingwood's "debutants" over the last few years, and unless they are drafted as "ready made" AFL players that acclimatise quickly, they always come in through the VFL with the Pies and play no more than about 10 games in their first couple of seasons at the club, and most of those are towards the end of those two years.
Its something that we stated we could only start doing about 1.5 years ago.
I think back to Jeffy and Mitch when they first started. Played thier first 3 games at high level intensity and suffered a burnout of sorts and then got dropped. This seems to have occurred with a few of our players, and in most cases they have come back a bit "fragile". They will get their chances.
Im confident that guys wont just be given matches for the sake of getting games into them, but to ensure that the experience is a good one. Something that we have not been able to do over the last little bit of the journey.
With former captain Chris Judd closer to the end than the beginning, Murphy is aware the taggers are lining up behind Crowley to take his scalp, most likely continuing with Bulldog Liam Picken on Saturday night.
"I'm looking forward to copping another one soon and dealing with it better," he said.
Talk is cheap, time for action!
I hope he can do it and lift the team in the process. If he gets his pants pulled down again it won't end well.
With former captain Chris Judd closer to the end than the beginning, Murphy is aware the taggers are lining up behind Crowley to take his scalp, most likely continuing with Bulldog Liam Picken on Saturday night.
"I'm looking forward to copping another one soon and dealing with it better," he said.
Talk is cheap, time for action!
I hope he can do it and lift the team in the process. If he gets his pants pulled down again it won't end well.
The rest of the guys need to give him a hand though as well - they were queing up to whack Geary in the Saints game - that's what we need more of.
Murf's been getting his knee drained after every match. This points to a structural problem that won't get better on its own.
Murf's been getting his knee drained after every match. This points to a structural problem that won't get better on its own.
Sounds like something Kreuzer was doing last season and he continued to be flogged here. I also remember him having a knee reconstruction too. Not forgetting his issues with his hip. Ooops sorry I forgot to say poor Marc and his knee and his cheekbone.
Season gone. Get him off and get him better. Bring Graham and any other new kids who need a run. In fact get any player off who is underdone. They are not helping us win games. They are in fact costing us games. Give the Captains hat to Simpson. Give him back some respect for how he has turned his season around. A thank you for his work rate of late.
Don't get me wrong here guys. I love Marc to bits. I hope he gets better and past his best which he will execute in the future. He hasn't even seen his true, full potential. Just won't be reading way too many Poor Marc stories, when others before him have had bad runs of luck and have not always had supporters, media and others give them a break. When they have bad patches, they are labelled bad number 1 draft picks. Get better soon Murphs. Tell your coach you can't play FFS. Grow a pair and tell him you don't want to let the squad down. Its considered tough to play with pain. Its considered selfish to play for the sake of playing and letting others carry the workload. If this is true Mick, cut him some bloody slack. He'll pay you back twice and three times in return.
Sorry Marc, I didn't mean to pay out on you. I'm just angry Special-K wasn't given much slack in his times of hidden injuries.
Boomer Harvey was in a similar position to Marc Murphy....heavily tagged and bullied off the ball, he chose to run his opponents off their legs and give some stick back to his taggers. Being very small though sometimes he couldnt physically respond but thats where the likes of Carey, Archer and crew stepped in to deal with taggers who over stepped the line.
Murphy cant run his opponets into the ground anymore because his knee isnt right and he doesnt have any cover on the ground because we are not an aggressive team in terms of looking after your teammates..
Both of the above have to to change for Murphy to be a topline player again....he needs resting to get his knee right and we need to recruit or develop some enforcers around the ball.......players like Crowley need to be dealt with around stoppages...legally but forcefully.
Murf's been getting his knee drained after every match. This points to a structural problem that won't get better on its own.
Sounds like something Kreuzer was doing last season and he continued to be flogged here. I also remember him having a knee reconstruction too. Not forgetting his issues with his hip. Ooops sorry I forgot to say poor Marc and his knee and his cheekbone.
Season gone. Get him off and get him better. Bring Graham and any other new kids who need a run. In fact get any player off who is underdone. They are not helping us win games. They are in fact costing us games. Give the Captains hat to Simpson. Give him back some respect for how he has turned his season around. A thank you for his work rate of late.
Don't get me wrong here guys. I love Marc to bits. I hope he gets better and past his best which he will execute in the future. He hasn't even seen his true, full potential. Just won't be reading way too many Poor Marc stories, when others before him have had bad runs of luck and have not always had supporters, media and others give them a break. When they have bad patches, they are labelled bad number 1 draft picks. Get better soon Murphs. Tell your coach you can't play FFS. Grow a pair and tell him you don't want to let the squad down. Its considered tough to play with pain. Its considered selfish to play for the sake of playing and letting others carry the workload. If this is true Mick, cut him some bloody slack. He'll pay you back twice and three times in return.
Sorry Marc, I didn't mean to pay out on you. I'm just angry Special-K wasn't given much slack in his times of hidden injuries.
If true (not questioning you, BB), this is deplorable. It is one of the great truisms of footy - do not take blokes who 'too' injured into games. Marc Murph... shut up and rule yourself out. Sometimes the ultimate team thing is to realise you're not up to it and say so. MM, if you're playing this bloke with this knowledge - stop! Stop being pigheaded and take a risk - give Bell, Graham or O'Keefe the challenge. If it means we write off 2013, so be it. The long term benefits will be worth it.
Ok if he's Injured then be needs to sit out. But in saying that he must play this week and use it to finally show his taggers that he won't take any sh1t anymore.
So the first person that gives him a cheapy to the mid section, he should turn around and Barry hall them. Give himself 4-5 weeks suspension but show the footy world that he ain't gonna take sh1t anymore from anyone. Show everyone u can be a loose cannon if pushed too far and it might make them think twice about taking cheap shots at u throughout games. I know if it was me, id make an example of someone and land a good four or five on their chin and then take a holiday.
Make a stand Marc and then have a rest. Come back next year fit and fresh. This season is done.
Ok if he's Injured then be needs to sit out. But in saying that he must play this week and use it to finally show his taggers that he won't take any sh1t anymore.
So the first person that gives him a cheapy to the mid section, he should turn around and Barry hall them. Give himself 4-5 weeks suspension but show the footy world that he ain't gonna take sh1t anymore from anyone. Show everyone u can be a loose cannon if pushed too far and it might make them think twice about taking cheap shots at u throughout games. I know if it was me, id make an example of someone and land a good four or five on their chin and then take a holiday.
Make a stand Marc and then have a rest. Come back next year fit and fresh. This season is done.
As much as this sounds like a good idea, its probably not. Its a sure fire way to guarantee he gets extra attention because he might lose focus. The only way to beat a tagger, is to run them into the ground, and put in a good performance despite the attention.
Anything else just gives them a win. Unfortunately there is no easy way to beat a tagger except to reinforce that its going to be a very difficult time to be a tagger and run with me.
Ok if he's Injured then be needs to sit out. But in saying that he must play this week and use it to finally show his taggers that he won't take any sh1t anymore.
So the first person that gives him a cheapy to the mid section, he should turn around and Barry hall them. Give himself 4-5 weeks suspension but show the footy world that he ain't gonna take sh1t anymore from anyone.
I wouldn't expect whacking someone is going to stop the tactic. The worst case scenario is if he does that then plays a crape game. He'll subject himself to career full of the stuff. Nothing Murphy can do that will stop it, the good players cop it, go hard at the ball and get on with it instead of shrinking into their shell.
He need support but he also needs to show that he can play even with the physical attention.
Ok if he's Injured then be needs to sit out. But in saying that he must play this week and use it to finally show his taggers that he won't take any sh1t anymore.
So the first person that gives him a cheapy to the mid section, he should turn around and Barry hall them. Give himself 4-5 weeks suspension but show the footy world that he ain't gonna take sh1t anymore from anyone.
I wouldn't expect whacking someone is going to stop the tactic. The worst case scenario is if he does that then plays a crape game. He'll subject himself to career full of the stuff. Nothing Murphy can do that will stop it, the good players cop it, go hard at the ball and get on with it instead of shrinking into their shell.
He need support but he also needs to show that he can play even with the physical attention.
There's two ways to beat a tagger:
Run very hard and run them into the ground (usually takes effect midway through the third quarter)
Win your own contested ball/hard ball gets and make tackling the opposition your focus (no way a tagger can stop you from tackling)
Close checking from a tagger is one thing. It's fine to keep body contact on your opponent and wear them like a glove. And like all good mids, it's an occupational hazard and Murf needs to get better at dealing with it.
The scragging, pinching, punching etc. is another thing altogether and needs to be addressed asap.
And how about the other guys giving Murf a chop out or a block once in a blue moon ?
Yeah he'll need his teammates help to do this. The sad thing is this shouldn't need to be said... it should be instinctive and non-negotiable that you protect your teammates, lay blocks and dish out bumps to taggers at every opportunity... especially to help your captain.
We had a bit of a crack with this vs the Saints when Geary wore some heavy hits from the boys but even then it had to be spelt out to them (Scotto giving them a spray at half time asking who was dealing with Geary).
If instilling this sort of attitude into our players is all MM does I'll be happy (well this and a flag or two some time soon O0 ) but it will be hard. How much 'help' did Judd receive over the last 5 years?? He was in the top few players in the comp AND our captain yet we still failed to protect him. Time for MM to belt the 'nice' off some of the baggers!! >:D
Murphy and Judd were held off the ball all night against Freo but the umpires simply won't police the rule.
Robert Harvey used to burn off taggers with pure gut running. Hard when you train once a week with a dodgy knee.
Robert Harvey used to burn off taggers with pure gut running. Hard when you train once a week with a dodgy knee.
For sure. If I was in Murph's position I'd be doing my utmost to win some contested ball or if not at least make sure I'm laying some tackles and applying pressure at the stoppages. If he's out there as captain he needs to have some sort of influence on the game.
Robert Harvey used to burn off taggers with pure gut running. Hard when you train once a week with a dodgy knee.
I asked Braddles this very question at a function last year, he said:
"Run till your mans tongue is hanging out of this mouth, then run harder"
Braddles told me he used to run (ie train) 365 days of the year and still does. Thats dedication and thats how its done my friends.
Robert Harvey used to burn off taggers with pure gut running. Hard when you train once a week with a dodgy knee.
I asked Braddles this very question at a function last year, he said:
"Run till your mans tongue is hanging out of this mouth, then run harder"
Braddles told me he used to run (ie train) 365 days of the year and still does. Thats dedication and thats how its done my friends.
At the peak of his career he could have been described as a OCD, he is alleged to have asked his manager if he was getting too fat to continue playing!
I remember a game about 2-3 years ago when Juddy just ran Cameron Ling into the turf. Poor old Ling, his face was redder than his hair and after the game he was totally spent. From memory, Juddy had a good one to boot! ;D
If, like us, you only have one or two genuine mids you are cooked.
It's why the Bombers wont get anywhere in finals. Tag Jobe, job done.
It's why the Eagles went from world beaters to cooked when Judd and Cousins left.
It used to be you could get away with 2-4 mids, but that just won't cut it now. Must have 6 quality runner/ball users rotating through there.
We are 4 mids short .
It is easy to say this is what he must do, as observers we can all talk the talk as can the coach.
But if you are carrying an injury the seemingly simple and obvious can quickly become the impossible, and there is the difference between the rhetoric and reality.
I have no reason to doubt Murphy, he has already done enough to prove to me he has the mental and physical capability. All he needs now is an injury free run at getting fitness.
If, like us, you only have one or two genuine mids you are cooked.
It's why the Bombers wont get anywhere in finals. Tag Jobe, job done.
It's why the Eagles went from world beaters to cooked when Judd and Cousins left.
It used to be you could get away with 2-4 mids, but that just won't cut it now. Must have 6 quality runner/ball users rotating through there.
We are 4 mids short .
Agree....now that Judd is on the slide , it only leaves Murphy and we need another 3 -4 quality mids....maybe Graham and Bell might step up if we give them opportunities to learn.
On a different tact, assuming that Murph is not fit enough to run out four quarters, but given he still wracked up 13 touches and was effectively minding Crowley, is that a bit of a win for us?
If a tagger is going to Murphy when he cant really contribute, lets assume for a moment, Murphy didnt come up. Crowley sits on Judd instead (assumption) and we struggle even more, unless someone steps up in a big way (Lucas? Graham?).
It seems to me, that Murphy wearing the tag, without being able to beat his opponent might still have given us a valuable contribution. I know Im happier with Juddy running around without an opponent.
If, like us, you only have one or two genuine mids you are cooked.
It's why the Bombers wont get anywhere in finals. Tag Jobe, job done.
It's why the Eagles went from world beaters to cooked when Judd and Cousins left.
It used to be you could get away with 2-4 mids, but that just won't cut it now. Must have 6 quality runner/ball users rotating through there.
We are 4 mids short .
Agree....now that Judd is on the slide , it only leaves Murphy and we need another 3 -4 quality mids....maybe Graham and Bell might step up if we give them opportunities to learn.
I would argue we have seen Gibbs and Bell step up already. Buckley will be in there eventually as well, and over the last couple of weeks there have been signs from Curnow he has another gear if someone can put him in it!
Bell is a victim of the rookie rules, and nobody knows why Gibbs isn't being played in the midfield.
Our other major mid is the one nobody ever remembers, Kreuzer. If he had a half decent player to give him a chop out of the ruck he would go to another level all together, especially at ground level.
I think it's time 1AW was given some center square work to get done. He looks to have the body, speed and acceleration. Whether he has the quick hands and smarts in that situation is another issue all together. I hate seeing potentially our best ball winners standing opposition forwards.
On a different tact, assuming that Murph is not fit enough to run out four quarters, but given he still wracked up 13 touches and was effectively minding Crowley, is that a bit of a win for us?
If a tagger is going to Murphy when he cant really contribute, lets assume for a moment, Murphy didnt come up. Crowley sits on Judd instead (assumption) and we struggle even more, unless someone steps up in a big way (Lucas? Graham?).
It seems to me, that Murphy wearing the tag, without being able to beat his opponent might still have given us a valuable contribution. I know Im happier with Juddy running around without an opponent.
We're effectively one man down defensively and Judd isn't good enough to tag now anyway. I do see the point you're trying to make though but perhaps would be more effective with a more talented midfield.
We're effectively one man down defensively and Judd isn't good enough to tag now anyway. I do see the point you're trying to make though but perhaps would be more effective with a more talented midfield.
I don't agree, I think one reason our midfield is on the slide is because it has gone too far in the tagging and negating direction and not maintained enough focus on itself and what it can do in attack.
I'd rather see a few of them get cut loose to see what they can do, they should have learned that effort is required both ways by now but we seem stuck in defensive balance. Our midfield is no longer feared as an attacking tool, MM's emphasis seems to be running off HB which is why I struggle to understand the form slump of Yarran.
What's there to not understand about Yarran? He's not playing HBF. Don't you mean you don't understand why we've adopted this method and Yazz isn't playing off half back?
I have been impressed with what K has been doing after the tap in recent games... I thought his efforts at ground level against Freo, whilst not effective, at least showed intent in tackling and providing a big body.
He hasn't been doing this deck level work since his knee, so wondering if he is only just getting confident with it again.
What's there to not understand about Yarran? He's not playing HBF. Don't you mean you don't understand why we've adopted this method and Yazz isn't playing off half back?
I never stated Yarran was playing off the HBF, and yes the rest of what you wrote is what I mean!
So the question becomes a chicken and egg scenario. Is Yarran not off HBF because of his form slump, or is his form slump because he is not off the HBF?
Nah it's obviously the latter as he was never given a chance at HBF under the new regime was he?
What's there to not understand about Yarran? He's not playing HBF. Don't you mean you don't understand why we've adopted this method and Yazz isn't playing off half back?
I never stated Yarran was playing off the HBF, and yes the rest of what you wrote is what I mean!
So the question becomes a chicken and egg scenario. Is Yarran not off HBF because of his form slump, or is his form slump because he is not off the HBF?
Yarran got completely exposed in the preseason final and Mick will never play him there again.
What's there to not understand about Yarran? He's not playing HBF. Don't you mean you don't understand why we've adopted this method and Yazz isn't playing off half back?
I never stated Yarran was playing off the HBF, and yes the rest of what you wrote is what I mean!
So the question becomes a chicken and egg scenario. Is Yarran not off HBF because of his form slump, or is his form slump because he is not off the HBF?
Yarran got completely exposed in the preseason final and Mick will never play him there again.
Wow so we've written off his best position after a preseason game? Stellar coaching there. And of course we've now got so much drive off HB anyway hey who needs Yazz?
Yarran got completely exposed in the preseason final and Mick will never play him there again.
Seriously, a career decided on a NAB Cup match!!!! :o
Yarran got completely exposed in the preseason final and Mick will never play him there again.
Seriously, a career decided on a NAB Cup match!!!! :o
Not even malthouse could be that stubborn or stupid could he?
The problem with resting Murphy until the end of the season, or finals if we get there by default, is that we don't have anyone who can provide the same contribution as Murphy - on one leg, let alone two. It's all well and good to suggest that Graham or Buckley should come into the side but neither has set the world on fire in the NBs.
Murphy's knee may be hampering his running ability but his biggest problem is dealing with a hard tag. As others have pointed out, the team doesn't do much to help but there doesn't seem to be a plan in place for Murphy himself. Surely the coaches will have thought about who is tagger will be and developed a plan for neutralising and exploiting the tagger. At one stage against Freo, he lost Crowley in the forward line and Crowley ended contesting a mark with Kreuzer (I think). That should be a regular tactic.
Part of the plan must be encouraging Murphy to be more physical with his tagger. Rather than doubling over when hit in the guts, he should tough it out and give it back harder. Even if he gets done for striking, it will blunt one of the tagger's weapons. And the week off could help his knee ;)
Ok if he's Injured then be needs to sit out. But in saying that he must play this week and use it to finally show his taggers that he won't take any sh1t anymore.
So the first person that gives him a cheapy to the mid section, he should turn around and Barry hall them. Give himself 4-5 weeks suspension but show the footy world that he ain't gonna take sh1t anymore from anyone.
I wouldn't expect whacking someone is going to stop the tactic. The worst case scenario is if he does that then plays a crape game. He'll subject himself to career full of the stuff. Nothing Murphy can do that will stop it, the good players cop it, go hard at the ball and get on with it instead of shrinking into their shell.
He need support but he also needs to show that he can play even with the physical attention.
There's two ways to beat a tagger:
Run very hard and run them into the ground (usually takes effect midway through the third quarter)
Win your own contested ball/hard ball gets and make tackling the opposition your focus (no way a tagger can stop you from tackling)
There's actually 3 ways. ;D
I guess the point I'm trying to make is he never sticks up for himself though.
He gets hit, punched, cleaned up and so on all year but never retaliates. I'm sick of seeing a tagger punch him in the guts and he goes to ground, gets up and then does nothing. To me it looks weak, especially as a captain.
As much as I hate Nick Maxwell, if someone punched him in the guts it would be on.
I just want him to show some fight back instead of just copping the punches and putting up with it. It makes him look easy to be pushed around..
If I was playing on him, I'd feel pretty comfortable that I could do anything to him, push him to the limit without fear of any retribution. I reckon most taggers see him like this now and play him that way. Time to stand up for yourself Marc.
Part of the plan must be encouraging Murphy to be more physical with his tagger. Rather than doubling over when hit in the guts, he should tough it out and give it back harder. Even if he gets done for striking, it will blunt one of the tagger's weapons. And the week off could help his knee ;)
I guess the point I'm trying to make is he never sticks up for himself though.
He gets hit, punched, cleaned up and so on all year but never retaliates. I'm sick of seeing a tagger punch him in the guts and he goes to ground, gets up and then does nothing. To me it looks weak, especially as a captain.
As much as I hate Nick Maxwell, if someone punched him in the guts it would be on.
I just want him to show some fight back instead of just copping the punches and putting up with it. It makes him look easy to be pushed around..
If I was playing on him, I'd feel pretty comfortable that I could do anything to him, push him to the limit without fear of any retribution. I reckon most taggers see him like this now and play him that way. Time to stand up for yourself Marc.
I was lambasted for suggesting such a thing after the Saints game. My how times have changed. ;)
Part of the plan must be encouraging Murphy to be more physical with his tagger. Rather than doubling over when hit in the guts, he should tough it out and give it back harder. Even if he gets done for striking, it will blunt one of the tagger's weapons. And the week off could help his knee ;)
I guess the point I'm trying to make is he never sticks up for himself though.
He gets hit, punched, cleaned up and so on all year but never retaliates. I'm sick of seeing a tagger punch him in the guts and he goes to ground, gets up and then does nothing. To me it looks weak, especially as a captain.
As much as I hate Nick Maxwell, if someone punched him in the guts it would be on.
I just want him to show some fight back instead of just copping the punches and putting up with it. It makes him look easy to be pushed around..
If I was playing on him, I'd feel pretty comfortable that I could do anything to him, push him to the limit without fear of any retribution. I reckon most taggers see him like this now and play him that way. Time to stand up for yourself Marc.
I was lambasted for suggesting such a thing after the Saints game. My how times have changed. ;)
Not by me ???
There are two ways to stop someone hitting you; run away, or hit them harder.
Actually, there's a third way; get someone bigger and meaner to hit them for you :P
Part of the plan must be encouraging Murphy to be more physical with his tagger. Rather than doubling over when hit in the guts, he should tough it out and give it back harder. Even if he gets done for striking, it will blunt one of the tagger's weapons. And the week off could help his knee ;)
I guess the point I'm trying to make is he never sticks up for himself though.
He gets hit, punched, cleaned up and so on all year but never retaliates. I'm sick of seeing a tagger punch him in the guts and he goes to ground, gets up and then does nothing. To me it looks weak, especially as a captain.
As much as I hate Nick Maxwell, if someone punched him in the guts it would be on.
I just want him to show some fight back instead of just copping the punches and putting up with it. It makes him look easy to be pushed around..
If I was playing on him, I'd feel pretty comfortable that I could do anything to him, push him to the limit without fear of any retribution. I reckon most taggers see him like this now and play him that way. Time to stand up for yourself Marc.
I was lambasted for suggesting such a thing after the Saints game. My how times have changed. ;)
Ive loved Murphy but never really disagreed with much yv said over the past about him.... Last week watching him get punched in the guts was my breaking point..
He should have smacked that smug fork straight back.. But instead he curled over and did nothing.. I wasnt happy..
@DJC
Or even multiple bigger and meaner people. ;D
On a different tact, assuming that Murph is not fit enough to run out four quarters, but given he still wracked up 13 touches and was effectively minding Crowley, is that a bit of a win for us?
If a tagger is going to Murphy when he cant really contribute, lets assume for a moment, Murphy didnt come up. Crowley sits on Judd instead (assumption) and we struggle even more, unless someone steps up in a big way (Lucas? Graham?).
It seems to me, that Murphy wearing the tag, without being able to beat his opponent might still have given us a valuable contribution. I know Im happier with Juddy running around without an opponent.
If Lyon's intentions were to have Crowley get 30 touches, then I guess you can look at it that way but I doubt Lyon had any such delusions. Crowley's job would have been to stop Murphy getting the pill and that's exactly what happened.
I guess the other side of the coin is if MM wanted Murphy to stop Crowley getting the ball and sacrifice his own game. If that was the case, I'd wonder if the coach has lost the plot ;-)
On a different tact, assuming that Murph is not fit enough to run out four quarters, but given he still wracked up 13 touches and was effectively minding Crowley, is that a bit of a win for us?
If a tagger is going to Murphy when he cant really contribute, lets assume for a moment, Murphy didnt come up. Crowley sits on Judd instead (assumption) and we struggle even more, unless someone steps up in a big way (Lucas? Graham?).
It seems to me, that Murphy wearing the tag, without being able to beat his opponent might still have given us a valuable contribution. I know Im happier with Juddy running around without an opponent.
If Lyon's intentions were to have Crowley get 30 touches, then I guess you can look at it that way but I doubt Lyon had any such delusions. Crowley's job would have been to stop Murphy getting the pill and that's exactly what happened.
I guess the other side of the coin is if MM wanted Murphy to stop Crowley getting the ball and sacrifice his own game. If that was the case, I'd wonder if the coach has lost the plot ;-)
Not exactly. I think you missed what i meant. If Murphy doesnt play, Crowley would shift to a different midfielder. I chose Judd because he is the next logical choice. So Judd gets the Crowley treatment instead, and might fare better in this battle due to his relative fitness, but we lose more elsewhere than we make up here.
On a different tact, assuming that Murph is not fit enough to run out four quarters, but given he still wracked up 13 touches and was effectively minding Crowley, is that a bit of a win for us?
If a tagger is going to Murphy when he cant really contribute, lets assume for a moment, Murphy didnt come up. Crowley sits on Judd instead (assumption) and we struggle even more, unless someone steps up in a big way (Lucas? Graham?).
It seems to me, that Murphy wearing the tag, without being able to beat his opponent might still have given us a valuable contribution. I know Im happier with Juddy running around without an opponent.
If Lyon's intentions were to have Crowley get 30 touches, then I guess you can look at it that way but I doubt Lyon had any such delusions. Crowley's job would have been to stop Murphy getting the pill and that's exactly what happened.
I guess the other side of the coin is if MM wanted Murphy to stop Crowley getting the ball and sacrifice his own game. If that was the case, I'd wonder if the coach has lost the plot ;-)
Not exactly. I think you missed what i meant. If Murphy doesnt play, Crowley would shift to a different midfielder. I chose Judd because he is the next logical choice. So Judd gets the Crowley treatment instead, and might fare better in this battle due to his relative fitness, but we lose more elsewhere than we make up here.
I think coaches are prepared to accept that one player may be shut down on condition that they contribute in a way other than accumulating possessions; tackling, a couple of goals, etc. The other mids have to step up and make up for the tagged player's lower possession count. It was probably the lesser of two evils when Crowley went to Murphy - I'm sure Judd was pleased as well.