Carlton Coach Mick Malthouse was a special guest on Channel Seven's Talking Footy on Monday night, joining panelists Bruce McAvaney, Wayne Carey, Luke Darcy and AFL Chief Andrew Demetriou. 

The show, which first aired back in 1994, has made a comeback – just in time for the 2013 AFL Finals Series. 

Malthouse spoke at length about his first year at Carlton, and commended captain Marc Murphy for his strength of character and the way he has handled himself this season.

"I think Marc is making progress each week," Malthouse said. "He had a very interrupted pre-season, and any player who plays the game knows that you have got to have a good pre-season. On top of an interrupted pre-season, he gets the captaincy."

"I think he was trying to be a lot for everyone. Then while his form had deteriorated, there was a real purple patch, he got back and felt strong – and then he broke his jaw.

"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 team mates. He just wants to be captain of his club, so there are some good ingredients there."

The Blues take on Richmond in an elimination final on Sunday, and Malthouse says the players who run down the race will be the best team to combat the Tigers' strengths. 

"We see their strengths, and then we go through our lists and say, 'ok, what can we do about their strengths?'" Malthouse said.

"If their strengths need Jaryd Cachia then we'll pick him. If it needs more pace, and Juddy is available, well clearly he will come into consideration."