New Carlton captain Marc Murphy shows coach Mick Malthouse some tricks. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
IN the end, Marc Murphy's appointment as Carlton captain came down to who was identified as the best leader, not player.
His accession to becoming captain of an AFL club, 40 years after his father John was elected to the same role at Fitzroy, was something the baby-faced midfielder admitted he had desired.
But it didn't come easily, with strong support in some sections of the club for Andrew Carrazzo, who will now become Murphy's deputy along with Kade Simpson. The final decision wasn't reached until Tuesday lunchtime.
Leadership is an area the club has identified as a weakness since the departure of captains such as Anthony Koutoufides, Andrew McKay and Brett Ratten.
Koutoufides was at the club yesterday to welcome Murphy into the role, along with premiership captains in John Nicholls and Stephen Kernahan, plus Mark Maclure and Chris Judd.
Murphy, 25, said: "I'm a pretty competitive person who will lead by example. Once I get over that white line, I can be pretty vocal, but it is an area of my game I can further improve.
"One day, I was hopeful I could captain the club, so it's a very exciting day. I'm very humbled by this selection."
He spoke as his new coach, Mick Malthouse, looked on. Malthouse said the search for a successor to Judd had been "exhaustive".
"We looked at every angle to ensure we uphold the traditions of this football club.
"It's not about who's the best player but who's the best leader," he said.
"Captains are all about 'we', not 'I'. Marc likes to talk about 'us'. But as captain, there is an isolation factor ... where you don't have to be the most popular person."
As for making any predictions on where the Blues can finish in 2013, Murphy played the same straight bat that has been the theme since Malthouse's arrival.
He repeated the players were placing no limits on the year, and noted the importance of a settled back half.
"Premierships are won in defence and we really need to improve that area of our game," he said.
Club president Kernahan said it was a perfect time in Murphy's football career to become captain.
"He can take this football club to another level," Kernahan said. "But I wouldn't have batted an eyelid if Andy Carrazzo or Kade Simpson got the nod."
While Judd is now removed from all leadership duties, he remains a revered figure within the playing ranks.
Also highly respected is Nick Duigan, who would have been in the race but for fluctuating form. Defender Michael Jamison is also seen as a potential leader but, like Bryce Gibbs, has chosen to concentrate on having a good season.
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