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Bob Murphy

Bob Murphy

Bob Murphy is the former Western Bulldogs captain and an Age columnist.

Some of the AFL’s elite defenders: Darcy Moore, Tom Stewart and James Sicily.

‘An act of genius’: Why this killer skill could define the preliminary finals

Four players have mastered the art of the intercept mark, which is more important than ever in finals.

  • Bob Murphy

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Up in lights: Bailey Smith

Forget Insta followers and romantic intrigue: Bailey Smith is the real deal

I watched Bailey Smith’s debut with his parents, long before the “Bazlenka” brand launched.

  • Bob Murphy
Izak Rankine is banned for four matches.

The AFL is cracking down on homophobia, but only to a point

From the outside the Crows appeared to be drawing on any defence that could minimise a penalty that would have ruled their man out for the season. 

  • Bob Murphy
Young Bulldogs star Sam Darcy.

I held Sam Darcy as a baby. Now I’m his biggest fan

Sam Darcy is the embodiment of everything that’s loved about the father-son rule, which defies the cold, hard economic rationalities of professional sport.

  • Bob Murphy
Bob Murphy predicted Richmond would not win a game in season 2025.

Why I owe Richmond a grovelling apology – with a catch

I, Bob Murphy, would like to formally apologise to the Richmond Football Club. I was wrong.

  • Bob Murphy
Too easy: Nick Daicos and the Magpies had all the answers on another dirty night for Carlton.

Pies pose the sort of scalp that’s worth more than four points

Collingwood have hit an internal target of 14 wins, according to Pies coach Craig McRae. Does that make them vulnerable this week? Maybe.

  • Bob Murphy
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Dynamic duo: Bulldogs Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore.

I once felt embarrassment and shame about my club. These two players dragged us out of the darkness

A gang of beautiful young mongrels took the Bulldogs from rock bottom to an AFL flag; two of them are about to celebrate 250 games.

  • Bob Murphy
Bob Murphy marks for the big V.

If State of Origin’s not for sheep stations, count me out

If the AFL finally brings back state versus state footy, this is what it has to look like.

  • Bob Murphy
Callan Ward.

The footy kiss that said everything about an AFL warrior

Callan Ward is loved, and this adoration from those who inhabit the game is rare. Players so tough are rarely as kind and empathetic in equal measure.

  • Bob Murphy
Brayden Maynard has been battling a foot injury throughout 2025.

An ancestry test would show Maynard is 100 per cent Magpie. Who embodies the spirit of your club?

Does your team have one player who epitomises the spirit, lineage and physicality of the club’s history?

  • Bob Murphy