Murray was mentally ‘messed up’ after Origin
HE has played 25 NRL and three State of Origin games this year but a candid Cameron Murray has revealed it was his mind not his body struggling with fatigue.
The South Sydney workhorse, who has missed only one game in 2019 to representative duties, said a gruelling period over the mid-season left him ‘messed up’ mentally.
“It’s been more of a shock mentally than it has been physically, especially through the Origin period. I always knew a period like that in the middle of the season would be really tough. But I didn’t know what to expect or how hard it would be until I was in that position,” Murray said.
The Mascot Jets junior is a stickler for routine and being called on for Origin meant a disruption that at the time he was ill-equipped to handle.
So the 21-year old turned to his club coach Wayne Bennett for support and guidance through the first real challenge of his young career.
“Wayne is someone who I turn to because I know he has been through everything as a coach. He spoke about having a passion outside of football, having something that allows you to completely switch off,” Murray said.
While Murray still hasn’t discovered a genuine passion away from rugby league he did find his ‘peace’ in the unlikeliest place, on a family-run acreage in Braidwood where he travelled after winning the Origin series.
“I went down to a little family farm just past the Southern Highlands. I was there for a couple of nights and that really helped,” he said.
“It’s really quiet down there and I loved it.
“Whenever I feel like it is all getting a bit too much here in the city, I’ll look to go down there again.”
Murray might be a workhorse on the field but away from it, he is a self proclaimed ‘princess’ and admitted he wasn’t too keen on getting his ‘hands dirty’ on the farm.
“I tried to do the things it takes to manage the farm, we were feeding some cattle and riding some bikes.” he said.
“I’m a bit of a princess, but hopefully I can work out the trade after a couple of trips down there. I enjoyed the peace and serenity of the country more.”
Fatima Kdouh