Cats can get cream with Murdoch’s help
Stars need a chop out
IF anybody understood the external discussion after Geelong’s preliminary final loss last year that its two best midfielders needed more support to be a premiership contender in 2017, it was Jordan Murdoch.
The 25-year-old did not play in that game – incidentally his last match in 2016 came a week after the loss the Cats suffered against Sydney in round 16 – but is one of a group of players who have been regularly reminded that Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield require more help through the middle for Geelong to flourish.
Injuries and form issues meant Murdoch played just 28 games throughout 2015 and 2016, but a strong pre-season and change in mindset has seen the South Australian play all but one match this season, where he is averaging 17.4 disposals per game.
The prevailing view is that if the Cats are to be a factor come September then it will be players such as Murdoch who need to continue having an impact, and tonight, without Dangerfield for the first time and against an in-form Swans side at Simonds Stadium, he gets his
chance to show he is up to the task.
“This year I’ve really concentrated on not just being a role player for the team. I think I’ve gone past that,” Murdoch said.
“I want to become someone who actually has a real impact on the game.”
The left-footer put in one of his best performances for the year against Carlton last week, finishing with a career-best 12 marks, four
tackles and a season-high return of 22 possessions and three goals.
It is often the case with Murdoch that the numbers don’t do him justice, but after 87 games at the highest level, he says he is ready to play his best football and knows that his teammates are recognising the growing confidence he has that he can be extremely damaging with ball in hand.
“I feel very confident and comfortable in the team at the moment and I guess part of it for me was knowing my strengths and why I was in the team,” he said.
He is also having an effect in the back half of the ground, racking up 24 rebound-50s and 39 inside-50s.
“I pride myself on working hard both defensively and up forward and I think our game plan and the way we want to play suits me,” Murdoch said.