Marc Murphy: NAB Rising Star no. 1

Marc Murphy has earned the first NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for season 2006.

Murphy proved his class in his round one debut for Carlton in their victory over Melbourne at the Telstra Dome on Sunday night. The 18-year-old gathered 17 possessions and kicked a goal in a wonderfully composed display that saw him justly rewarded with the round one Rising Star nomination.

Murphy taken by the Blues at No.1 in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft last November indicated his readiness for AFL action with his obvious ball winning ability and composure under pressure in the NAB Pre-season Cup and has now continued that on into the season regular.

The son of five-time Fitzroy best-and-fairest John Murphy added depth to a midfield that constantly found itself short of talent in a horror 2006 that culminated in the club’s second ever wooden spoon.

Murphy was last year’s Rising Star winner Brett Deledio’s team mate in the Victorian under 17 cricket team in 2004 and also captained Vic Metro at the 2005 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships where he won the Larke Medal and gained All-Australian honours.

Murphy beat off solid competition for the round one honor from number two draft pick Dale Thomas who had an impressive debut for Collingwood against Adelaide. Thomas collected 16 possessions and booted two goals displaying all the skills of a top two selection suggesting his nomination is only a matter of when – not if. The decision must have been a close one but as the year progresses the two young guns will no doubt enjoy an entertaining contest for the overall Rising Star award.