With his team two games behind eight-placed Port Adelaide after suffering a heartbreaking loss to Essendon, Murphy says the Blues' clash with the Power at AAMI Stadium on Saturday is a "must-win" encounter regardless, to repay supporters they have let down.
The AFL Commission meets on Monday and is expected to remove the Bombers' points as part of sanctions over their controversial 2012 supplements program.
In that event, Carlton would retain ninth spot and make the finals by default if it defeats the Power.
The Blues could also play finals even if they lose, providing Brisbane Lions lose to Geelong at Simonds Stadium, North Melbourne loses to Collingwood at the MCG, and either Adelaide or West Coast don’t bridge a significant percentage gap when they confront each other in Perth.
"We can’t really worry or think too far ahead," Murphy told reporters at Visy Park on Monday morning.
"We've just got to look at the vision from on the weekend and learn what we can do better going forward.
"In terms of what's happening at AFL House, it's obviously out of our control … We can’t really speculate with what's going to happen this week with Essendon, so we just want to put in a good performance against a good side in Port, as much for ourselves as for our supporters and members."
The Power are one of just two top-eight teams Carlton has defeated this year, with the Blues triumphing by 18 points at Etihad Stadium in round eight. The other highly-rated victim was Richmond, which Carlton upset by 10 points at the MCG in round 21.
Although he and his team have performed below expectations this season, Murphy said he had enjoyed his first season as captain after replacing Chris Judd.
He said coach Mick Malthouse had been a great support.
"You couldn’t have anyone better than Mick (to) teach me about what he expects from me and what the boys expect from me."
Murphy has averaged 22 disposals a game this season, well down on his average of 26 over the previous five seasons.
"It definitely hasn’t been a standout year for myself," he said.
"Obviously I would've liked to have played better footy individually, but it's something I've got to work on (and) get the body right. I'm looking forward to playing a really good one this week and getting the boys over the line."
Murphy had a limited pre-season after undergoing a minor knee operation, and the ongoing issue has hampered his performance this season. He said it was likely he would receive more surgery at season's end to enable him to start next pre-season earlier, "get the fitness up and get some power back in my legs".
