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bornadog
16-06-2011, 11:13 AM
Great article to celebrate one of our best current players.

A clan of true believe (http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/a-clan-of-true-believers-20110615-1g3xa.html)

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/mmsalih/art-murphyarticleimage-420x0.jpg


Bob Murphy's parents met when John was a Catholic priest and Monica a nun. They left the order to be together, had Ben, Bridget and then little Robbie. On the eve of his 200th game, they talk to Peter Hanlon about storytelling, crushing disappointment, and keeping the faith - in football and life.

JOHN: I vividly remember his first game. He was eight, and there was a lightning premiership out at Buln Buln. Monica and I were wondering, 'He mightn't take to this …' Ben was already playing footy, he was four or five years older. For the first two or three minutes he just wandered around, didn't look completely at home, then the ball bounced loose and he went, whoosh! He swooped on it and kicked it onto a guy's chest. And I thought, 'He's got it. He's got the gift.'

MONICA: He was a gorgeous kid. He was number three, what else could he be? Robbie didn't like conflict - he would never tell you that anything was worrying him. He was one of those little fellows who would work around it. Ben and Bridget were in secondary school, and he was going to primary school. I said to him one day, 'Today you'll have to come home when there's no one at home', because we weren't going to get home before him. He said, 'Well, it depends how you look at it, Mum. I could be the latch-door kid, who's neglected, or I could be the kid who's taking responsibility and who's been given some freedom. And that's the way I see it.' He was saying that to accommodate me, to make me feel better. He always looked for the best option, the most positive for everyone. I think he thought I had to be looked after, and he still does that.

JOHN: I never heard him articulate that he wanted to be a footballer.

MONICA: He plays his cards close to his chest, even as a little boy. He loved everything, every kid and every person.

JOHN: He was never one of those driven, 'I'm going to be a footballer' kids. He talked more about playing basketball and cricket.

MONICA: I just remember him talking about having a comfortable life, good fun. Ben was strong, wanted to learn and go ahead and break barriers. Bridget was a real leader later in school, before that she was easy-going but still more driven than Robbie.

JOHN: You wouldn't have heard him say, 'I'm bored'. There was nothing to be bored about, always plenty of friends, plenty of things to do. But if you were going to talk about them going on to be professional sportspeople, Rob wouldn't have been the first or the second that you'd think of. But I wonder if he was disguising some real ambition or desire.

MONICA: I like his columns. I'm a bit surprised by his grasp of structure, but I'm not surprised at his Irish storytelling. He always had that wistful, dreamy way, he's poetic. He always had a different life view from most people. Mary Mutsaers (Rob's secondary school English teacher) said she knew he had it, but he wouldn't put it on paper. But I don't think school was the right forum for him. He said he learnt more from sitting around our table listening to our adult friends than he did from sitting in a classroom.


Keep reading Here (http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/a-clan-of-true-believers-20110615-1g3xa.html)

Murphy'sLore
16-06-2011, 11:51 AM
Congratulations Bob, not just on achieving 200 games but also on your beautiful family (how cute are those curly kids!), and also on keeping a sense of what's important in life, and doing your best to pass that on to others. Truly admirable.

DragzLS1
16-06-2011, 11:58 AM
Bob you are a legend! Congrats on 200 games

bornadog
16-06-2011, 11:58 AM
Congratulations Bob, not just on achieving 200 games but also on your beautiful family (how cute are those curly kids!), and also on keeping a sense of what's important in life, and doing your best to pass that on to others. Truly admirable.

Yeah a future father son with curly hair.:)

LostDoggy
16-06-2011, 01:22 PM
Congrats Bob - love watching you play and you deserve a win tomorrow night!

LostDoggy
16-06-2011, 01:33 PM
Well done Robert Murphy - a fine talented football player with a level-head and a gorgeous family to boot! Let's hope the boys do you proud and we have a big win to celebrate. :D

LostDoggy
16-06-2011, 04:07 PM
Well done Murph.
His children are adorable!

BulldogBelle
16-06-2011, 04:16 PM
Well done Bob. You are a great bloke and a credit to your family.

Maddog37
16-06-2011, 04:51 PM
Yep. Legend!

LostDoggy
16-06-2011, 04:55 PM
On Ya Murph. No offence to Boyd who has been fantastic but I always think of Bob
as our other captain :D

always right
16-06-2011, 05:18 PM
In a disappointing season for the dogs....it's still one of football's great treats watching the balance, poise and evasive skills of Murph. He is the Harry Houdini of the AFL the way he escapes the clutches of opponents when surrounded by his would-be tacklers.

LostDoggy
16-06-2011, 05:22 PM
An excellent piece.

The Age should send a copy to Mark Robinson in the hope he may learn somehthing about journalism and more to the point the true "culture" of the Western Bulldogs.

As Monica says: "Thank God for the Bulldogs"

Bulldog4life
16-06-2011, 05:23 PM
On Ya Murph. No offence to Boyd who has been fantastic but I always think of Bob
as our other captain :D

Our spiritual Leader in more ways than one. I have really enjoyed watching Murph's career. A silky skillful player and a great bloke too.

LostDoggy
16-06-2011, 05:58 PM
Congratulations Bob on your 200 milestone , lets hope you can get past 250 , it would be great to see you slot a couple against the Crow,s

.

LongWait
16-06-2011, 06:43 PM
What a good read - gives a nice insight into the emotions and issues parents of draftees have to deal with and reflects very well indeed on the club and players. The Murphy's sound like fantastic people.

We are lucky to have you on our list Bob - good luck and congratulations on your 200th.

AndrewP6
16-06-2011, 10:04 PM
A Bulldog through and through. Congratulations Bob Murphy, a fine servant of the club, a great player and all-round good bloke. Let's get the win for Murph!!!

( And I hope he is interviewed and mentions "Jarvis' mum". :D

LostDoggy
16-06-2011, 10:15 PM
Well done Bobby, have loved watching you play for our great club.

Max469
16-06-2011, 11:39 PM
Congratulations Robbie.

You are a true gentleman.

I have met you many times and you always have time for me. We even laugh about the 'stalker' status. :D

But the pleasure in meeting you is all mine. xx

Go_Dogs
17-06-2011, 08:03 AM
Great article.

Congratulations to Murph on 200 games, great achievement considering his injuries and whatnot. Playing the season of his life too.

Axe Man
17-06-2011, 10:34 AM
JOHN: I vividly remember his first game. He was eight, and there was a lightning premiership out at Buln Buln.

I did the math and have realised I just missed out possibly playing against the great man that day. It would have been my first year in the under 14s whilst Bob made his debut in the under 12s as an 8 year old. Even though I am 4 years older I am sure he still would have made me look silly.

Well done Bob, you have done the Doggies and Warragul proud!

LostDoggy
18-06-2011, 12:32 AM
Bob Murphy - dead set legend. Ducked and weaved 6 consecutive collinwood players in the qualifying final last year. Silky smooth Murph - we need another 5 years out of ya!

Desipura
18-06-2011, 09:01 AM
Google the word class, Murphy will come up

AndrewP6
18-06-2011, 04:59 PM
Google the word class, Murphy will come up

I tried, and he didn't. ;)

Mitcha
19-06-2011, 10:17 AM
Spud Murphy highlights video now on Doggies website. Sorry not smart enough to post a link.

KT31
19-06-2011, 01:55 PM
http://bptvpd.ngcdn.telstra.com/pd_aflbulldogs0/OnDemand/AFL/2011/murphy_200/murphy_200_1mb.mp4

Love Murph and his got great skills and if Im correct he even manages to kick the Tip Rat in the head as well.:D

LostDoggy
19-06-2011, 03:53 PM
Great highlights - it's so easy to forget how young they were, and all the wonderful things they do on the field over the years! Congratulations on a fantastic career thus far Murph!

LostDoggy
19-06-2011, 07:23 PM
What a great game played by Bob in his 200th. Has also put in excellent games on about 198 of the others. Keep up the fantastic work Bob.

LostDoggy
20-06-2011, 11:13 AM
I tried, and he didn't. ;)

I did, and he did come up:

http://www.simplicitywebdesign.com.au/woof-img/murphy-google-search.jpg

This is totally unaltered, except for me highlighting the entry.

Desipura
20-06-2011, 01:04 PM
Thanks BAS, AndrewP6 as a school teacher, I thought you would be more thorough! ;)

The Pie Man
20-06-2011, 01:51 PM
I love how Australian beer also came up! :)

Murph has been terrific, and he seems a great person and loyal clubman. Well done Bob

AndrewP6
20-06-2011, 06:56 PM
Thanks BAS, AndrewP6 as a school teacher, I thought you would be more thorough! ;)

I call funny buggers, I Googled again, and got this:

Oh, and reports are done, I'm finished being thorough! :)

LostDoggy
21-06-2011, 09:13 AM
Yeah, I got a mate to google it and it didn't show up either.

Maybe Google are tailoring the search results to reflect my patterns of internet usage or something…

Anyway, no funny buggers, I swear! I can edit the page if I want — I'm a web designer — but I would've done a better job of it if it was fake…

Desipura
21-06-2011, 09:23 AM
Yeah, I got a mate to google it and it didn't show up either.

Maybe Google are tailoring the search results to reflect my patterns of internet usage or something…

Anyway, no funny buggers, I swear! I can edit the page if I want — I'm a web designer — but I would've done a better job of it if it was fake…

I believe you.......I agree the search my reflect your patterns of internet usage

bornadog
21-06-2011, 09:30 AM
I believe you.......I agree the search my reflect your patterns of internet usage

My search keeps coming up with girl sites:D

Desipura
21-06-2011, 09:30 AM
My search keeps comming up with girl sites:D

You make that sound bad....bad (not a typo)? ;)

bornadog
21-06-2011, 09:39 AM
You make that sound bad....bad (not a typo)? ;)

whoops:D, better change that.