Growing up in Melbourne, Marc Murphy always had a love of sport.

With two older brothers and father who coached football, he developed a competitive spirit at an early age.

It’s that spirit that saw Murphy selected as the number one draft pick in the 2005 National Draft, and soon thereafter he cemented himself as a leader in the Blues midfield.

Eight years and 149 AFL games later, that competitive spirit still drives the 25-year-old, who takes great pride in testing himself each week against the best in the AFL.

In 2011, Murphy won Carlton’s best and fairest, made the All-Australian team and was named the AFL Coaches Association's Player of the Year. 

Last year, he finished fifth in the best and fairest count, despite only managing 16 matches after suffering a shoulder injury. 

This week, the Carlton Captain adds a new achievement to his already impressive record, running out for his 150^th AFL match.

Murphy will share the milestone with two of his best mates.

Andrew Walker is also playing his 150^th AFL match this weekend, while Heath Scotland will notch up his 250^th.

In the lead-up to his milestone match, Murphy has reflected on his career, by answering the following 10 questions.


1. What is your best childhood memory?
Going to watch Box Hill play when Dad was coaching there. It was my first experience going to the football with my two older brothers and my Mum. It was exciting going into the rooms after the game and getting signatures from VFL players.

2. What do you regard as your greatest moment in football?
Playing in the final against Essendon and winning that by 90 odd points was probably the best moment in my career so far. It was an amazing feeling playing in front of a big crowd. I remember the supporters singing the Carlton theme song during the last quarter.

3. What has been you worst moment in football?
There’s been a couple. I’ve seen a few injuries, but probably the worst was losing finals. I’ve played in four or five finals and lost three of them by under a kick. The worst was against West Coast, losing by three points to miss out on playing a prelim.

4. What is it that you most like about the game?
Testing yourself against the best, that drives me the most. Also just being around a football club and the comradery with mates. It’s a great feeling to get results together when you’re playing good football.

5. What don’t you like about football?
All the bad coverage it gets. Football does a lot of good things in the community. Sometimes, the things like players helping sick kids, gets lost in controversy and selling papers.

6. Your thoughts on training?
I really enjoy training. You get the chance to work on things. It’s hard work but it’s the chance to test yourself. Health Scotland and Andrew Walker who also have milestones this weekend are two of the hardest trainers at the club. They were good for me when I first came to Carlton and showed me how to go about training.

7. If it wasn’t playing AFL, what would you be doing?
I love watching cricket and wanted to play cricket at the Test level. At school I thought about PE teaching. I wanted to do something involved in sport. Not sure if I’ll still want to be a teacher post football, we will have to wait and see!

8. Who is the person who has inspired you the most?
My dad and my older brothers are people I have always looked up to. I have two older brothers - one is nine years older the other is four years older. I remember playing cricket and footy with them, and always trying to keep up with them.

9. Is there still a place for loyalty in football and what are your thoughts on being a one club player?
There’s absolutely a place for loyalty in the game. Carlton gave me my first start, and if the club is happy to have me I would love to stay here. My Dad left Fitzroy to go to a couple of other clubs and he always told me if you can stay at the one club, do that. To be a one club player would be ideal. Carlton is a great place, filled with great people. I will have life long friends out of the club and I want to stay here as long as I can.

10. Tell us about Andrew Walker …
He’s one of my good mates Walks, we were talking about it (the milestone) at the start of  the year. We looked at the fixture and we were both on 142 games and realised we were a chance to play 150 together.

Walker’s had some tough times with his shoulders over the past few years, he could have almost played 200 by now. He’s such a hard worker and a versatile player. A couple of years ago he was our leading goal-kicker and now he’s probably our best backman. He’s been a real bright light for us this year.

And Heath Scotland?
He’s still got a lot of passion for the game. I think in the past two or three years he’s probably played the best footy he’s ever played. It comes from working hard and wanting to taste success. The passion that you see from him, you really feel that being involved with him. Although he’s not “officially” a leader at the club, he certainly is (a leader). He doesn’t need the title, everyone looks up to him.