CARLTON skipper Marc Murphy’s milestone match will provide the Blues with added motivation to break their decade-long drought against Hawthorn, according to Assistant Coach Cameron Bruce.
Murphy who will play his 200th game at Etihad Stadium tonight, has been in fantastic form this season, averaging more than 26 disposals across 14 matches.
But the 28-year-old is yet to feature in a victory against the Hawks, whose winning record against the Blues extends back to exactly a decade ago, in Round 17, 2005 – the season before he was drafted.
“He’s a very important player for Carlton and one of those players that has played really well over a number of years and on big occasions,” Bruce said.
“We know their energy and excitement is going to be up, and probably more so given it’s their captain’s big milestone game.
“That’s always a motivating factor… and will bring added energy for them.
“We’ve got to nullify his influence, because he brings other players into the game.”
Murphy is one of few experienced players in the Blues’ midfield, with the likes of Andrew Carrazzo, Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Walker missing through injury, and champion Chris Judd now retired.
But Bruce said the Blues’ captain was not the only on-baller the Hawks would need to keep an eye on, with young star Patrick Cripps also in strong form.
“Cripps has come in and had a really good season,” Bruce said
“For a young player to come in and be a really important part of their inside game is a good achievement, and we’ve got to respect him even though he hasn’t played a lot of footy.”
Cripps is averaging almost 22 disposals and six clearances per game for the 16th-placed Blues, who are ranked equal fourth in the competition for centre clearances.
Bruce said the Hawks – who have now won seven consecutive games, including strong wins against fellow top-four sides Fremantle and Sydney Swans – still had room to improve and needed to maintain their winning form.
“It’s really important to be playing your best footy late in the season, and there’s always areas to improve,” he said.
“You’re always searching to play the perfect game of footy, and we’ll continue to strive to get better.
“We’re in a good stretch of consecutive wins and we want to continue that momentum for as long as we can.”
