Why is Bob Murphy so loved and respected by all?

[MaddAdam]

Is largely a media confection - the "St Bob" thing - something that can change quickly cf. Everybody's Favourite James Hird.

But he's been a very clean ball player for his long career, has a genuine bloke next door kind of vibe about him, essentially, if your daughter brought him home, or your son was best mates with him, you wouldn't freak out, unlike the vast majority of footballers.

As ever, the media overegging of the pudding has ruined.

 

[AndyLucimitis]

The denim jacket

 

[AndyLucimitis]

Passion.

I do however understand its hard for a Saints supporter like you who has never experienced the utter joy and passion derived from an AFL Grand Final victory.

That's a lie. They have experienced the joy of a Wizard Cup victory !

 

[Bulldogs Legend]

Zero flags.

He will be there on Friday night as we unfurl it what will your be doing???

 

[Bulldogs Legend]

He's not tall or a poppy.

FMD, he was holidaying OS for part of the season last year after doing his knee. I can understand the Bulldogs including him in the celebrations but he ultimately contributed zilch to them winning the flag (his absence may have helped). He was as significant as any fan.

Tall poppy? That's as ridiculous as the "one of the greatest moments in sport" comment.

It doesn't matter that you think he contributed zilch as quite clearly you wouldn't have any idea nor would any other poster on BF. What matters is his coach his teammates and his president did and they are in a better position to make the call!

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

Yep, no premeditation from Bob re: the celebrations.

View attachment 350890

Why would you do that?

As a dogs member who actually got to see my club win a flag, Bob was doing this to our club members, not the media, not to the TV, in fact he ran away from the TV at one stage.

If you listen to what the coach said when he called him up to the dais, he said "we couldn't have done this without you mate". Anyone that has a problem with that is just jealous and twisted. The doggies won the flag our way, and we earned the right to celebrate it our way.

 

[Bulldogs Legend]

Every GF team has players that miss out. Some in even more tragic circumstances (playing every game and actually helping the team make it).

None has ever tried to hog the limelight like Bob.

So on the balance of probabilities I think it's a safe bet to suggest others wouldn't.

We did it our way simple as that!

 

[TheKanga]

I'd barely heard of him until AFL 360.

 

[_Mike_]

I'm still trying to get over a Bulldogs fan saying Bob "probably isn't as good a player" as Nick Riewoldt.

Now we have someone describing Bob being given his coach's medal as "one of the greatest moments in sport".

Wow.

The legend of Bob Murphy has certainly grown over the past 12 months.

Let me ask you this..

Even if that poster stated "Bob is much better that Roo", would it really matter? You know the value of Roo to the Saints, what others think matters not

 

[Predator35]

That's a lie. They have experienced the joy of a NAB Cup victory !

View attachment 350896

That's no NAB cup, that's the glorious Wizard cup.

 

[Eaglespur]

I'd barely heard of him until AFL 360.

hahah classic

 

[AndyLucimitis]

That's no NAB cup, that's the glorious Wizard cup.

Any wonder they looked disappointed !!

(I'll edit my original post)

 

[TiAn_]

JeffDunne #gosaintas

Here's a quote from someone that at least has some insight about being an AFL captain, unlike you:

It's always difficult judging leadership from the outside, but two captains I have an enormous amount of respect for are Bob Murphy and Luke Hodge. Murphy really inspired me last year with what he was able to do with a similar group at the Bulldogs - we had similarly strong teams in the late 2000s and both went through serious rebuilds, but Bob's leadership through that really impressed me me. Hodgey's done everything and clearly three flags as skipper speak to his success as a leader. I like his uncompromising style. He appears to hold his group incredibly accountable and is so ruthless on the field. They're my two standouts from the current crop of captains.

This is what I think Nick and Bob would do if they had a read of your salty whining:

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Lets put up a checklist, should we? Any single one of these dot points should be enough, but

• One club player with genuine affection for the club he plays for
• And also had wider affection for the game, its fans, the leaders and players of other clubs - he resonates with how the game influences the lives of millions around the country and world
• Is a genuinely good player, 2x All-Australian, who is a very pretty player to watch with his style of moving the ball using his agilty and ability to kick off both feet. Has evolved his game from skinny outside youngster, to undersized CHF/Leadup forward in 2005-6 period of time, to silky HBF
• Is a high quality media performer and writer, and not just "good for a football player" good, but genuinely good. Sometimes he writes about his perspective and emotions, and other times he tells yarns about playing the game, but it's among some of the best sportswriting I've read from anyone of footy, let alone a player
• His leadership as a captain from the depths of 2014 to lead the team into 2015, both on the back of his own performance as an AA that year but as a leader changing the club culture and environment from one of the most toxic in the league to one of the most welcoming
• Is a quirky enough figure to embrace his eccentricities, his love of Elvis, "rascal", owning a dacshund etc.

 

[Testekill]

So hes the ONLY player playing now who hasnt had those negatives in their footballing life?

Bloke got injured rd3 last year then proceeded to make the grand final win all about him. He didnt have to get up and hold the cup up, he didnt have to wear the medal around his neck. One of the most selfish things ive seen in football and nearly my entire life.

So he should have told Beveridge & Wood to go **** themselves. Yeah okay.

 

[Testekill]

Only envious clowns have a bad word to say about him.

Yeah, the main people you see ripping into Murphy are the same ones who offer posts that offer no insight or value of any sort.

 

[The Plowking]

Every GF team has players that miss out. Some in even more tragic circumstances (playing every game and actually helping the team make it).

None has ever tried to hog the limelight like Bob.

So on the balance of probabilities I think it's a safe bet to suggest others wouldn't.

He bloody didnt.
Geez you 2 saints are a bit...challenged.

 

[Testekill]

He bloody didnt.
Geez you 2 saints are a bit...challenged.

Funny thing is that Riewoldt really respects and rates Murphy as a leader and as a person, so I guess JD knows better than Saint Nick.

 

[Cadillac]

If I was a Saints fan I'd be annoyed at JeffDunne. Nothing but an embarrassment.

 

[Bulldogs Legend]

If I was a Saints fan I'd be annoyed at JeffDunne. Nothing but an embarrassment.

Jeff Dunne is still upset from the day Templeton kicked 15.9 and two ot of bound on him and his mates out at the Western oval!!

 

[iameviljez]

• Is a high quality media performer and writer, and not just "good for a football player" good, but genuinely good. Sometimes he writes about his perspective and emotions, and other times he tells yarns about playing the game, but it's among some of the best sportswriting I've read from anyone of footy, let alone a player

Totally. Occasionally it can be a bit uncontrolled, but it is excellent to see a footballer write about something other than cliches - and there's no doubt it's his own work, too. (Or his ghostwriter has a LOT of fun).

 

[SCRAY72]

Been following footy for nearly 50 years, I have admired and respected many players from other clubs. My top 10.
In no particular order.
Robbie Flower
Bruce Doull
Robert Harvey
Simon Madden
Simon Black
Matthew Pavlich
Peter Daicos
Dale Weightman
Brett Ratten
Gary Wilson

 

[adammania9]

I have nothing against the guy but man the Dogs supporters are getting their panties in a bit of a twist here. Remember, this is a discussion-based forum, and people have just as much right to be annoyed by the hype or simply dislike him as you do to praise him and love him to death. I like him, he seems like a nice guy who treats his team like a family and is a true spiritual leader, but respect the opinions of all. One thing that does my head in is that if we don't all have the same, vanilla opinion as everyone else, we get labelled as a troll, dick, jealous etc. Chill out d00ds

 

[Jack Bradley]

Because the media have an ongoing circle jerk about it.

 

[SCRAY72]

Thread title should be altered to respected by "some"