But the Blues season came to an end, against Sydney in the Semi-Finals at ANZ Stadium.
With the team now on a break, we’re taking a look back at each player’s year in statistics, starting with Carlton’s No.3, captain Marc Murphy.
Marc Murphy (#3)
GAMES
Season 2013: 23
Career: 165
GOALS
Season 2013: 18
Career: 133
KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets)
Disposals: 512 (22.3) Marks: 87 (3.8) Tackles: 79 (3.4) Inside 50s: 79 (3.4) Contested Possessions: 228 (9.9) Clearances: 89 (3.87)
OVERVIEW
On March 12, Marc Murphy was named as Carlton’s new captain, after proving himself as a consistent performer and leader through the Blues midfield. But the 2005 No.1 draft pick didn’t have the ideal start in the role, with a pre-season interrupted by injury.
Just three months later, when Murphy had just started to get his body back on track, he was sidelined again, after a collision with Luke Hodge in Round 12 left the Blues’ skipper with a fractured cheekbone.
By his own admission, Season 2013 did not pan out how Murphy had hoped. But his leadership and growth in the role as captain has earned praised from both his teammates and Carlton coaching staff.
IN THE NEWS
AAMI A Win For Self Belief
Murphy Handy With The Willow
Murphy Not Willing To Speculate
The Skipper Reaches 150
Murphy Injury Update
Murphy Announced As Carlton Captain
HE SAID IT
THEY SAID IT
"I think that he's making fantastic strides as a captain. It wasn't going to happen overnight with Marc, as he is the quiet type. But he leads from the front.
“He is a very brave young man and he is an articulate person in front of his teammates. He just wants to be captain of his club, so there are some good ingredients there." – Mick Malthouse on Talking Footy Monday 2 September.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT
It’s been a big year for Murphy and you could argue his highlight may have been being named as Carlton captain, or playing his 150th match in the Round 8 win over Port Adelaide. In that same milestone match Murphy kicked an impressive goal from the boundary line, which went on to be nominated for the AFL’s Goal of the Year, and won the public vote for the round.
But perhaps Murphy’s greatest triumph in 2013 was the leadership he displayed in the Round 23 comeback against Port Adelaide, a match he finished with three goals and 23 disposals.
