Joe Murdoch
Encyclopedia
Arthur 'Joe' Murdoch was an Australian rules football
er who played in the VFL in between 1927 and 1936 for the Richmond Football Club
.
Murdoch was an exceptionally tough defender who was at the forefront of an exceptional backline that held the formidable South Melbourne
and Collingwood
attacks numerous times in important matches during the 1930s. For his size Murdoch had exceptionally good ground skills and would always use his strength to advantage when the ball was loose.
He was capable of playing in any position on the backline, for most of his career fitting in as required to accommodate other defenders such as Maurie Sheahan
, Martin Bolger
and Basil McCormack
. He played in the losing 1928 Grand Final side and in the 1932 premiership side as a centre-half-back, whilst in the losing 1929 side Murdoch was on the half-back flank and in 1931 full-back. By the time of the 1934 premiership side Richmond were so well-equipped with top defenders that Murdoch was moved to the forward line where he kicked a goal - despite having between Rounds Nine and Fourteen of that season held the VFL record for most games without kicking a goal.
Murdoch's career ended in sensational fashion when in 1936 he was involved in a fight with Collingwood legend Gordon Coventry
. Though Coventry was judged the instigator of the conflict, Murdoch was on Tuesday August 4 found guilty of retaliating and suspended for four matches. Though he played one more game Richmond did not re-engage him for 1937.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played in the VFL in between 1927 and 1936 for the Richmond Football Club
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
.
Murdoch was an exceptionally tough defender who was at the forefront of an exceptional backline that held the formidable South Melbourne
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
and Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
attacks numerous times in important matches during the 1930s. For his size Murdoch had exceptionally good ground skills and would always use his strength to advantage when the ball was loose.
He was capable of playing in any position on the backline, for most of his career fitting in as required to accommodate other defenders such as Maurie Sheahan
Maurie Sheahan
Maurie Sheahan was an Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL between 1929 and 1936 for the Richmond Football Club.A member of Richmond's legendary "Three Musketeers" backline of Bolger, Sheahan and O'Neill, he played in the premiership teams of 1932 and 1934 as well as the losing Grand...
, Martin Bolger
Martin Bolger
Martin Joseph Bolger was an Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL between 1930 and 1939 for the Richmond Football Club....
and Basil McCormack
Basil McCormack
Basil McCormack was a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1925 and 1936 for the Richmond Football Club.- References :* Hogan P: The Tigers Of Old , Richmond FC, Melbourne 1996*...
. He played in the losing 1928 Grand Final side and in the 1932 premiership side as a centre-half-back, whilst in the losing 1929 side Murdoch was on the half-back flank and in 1931 full-back. By the time of the 1934 premiership side Richmond were so well-equipped with top defenders that Murdoch was moved to the forward line where he kicked a goal - despite having between Rounds Nine and Fourteen of that season held the VFL record for most games without kicking a goal.
Murdoch's career ended in sensational fashion when in 1936 he was involved in a fight with Collingwood legend Gordon Coventry
Gordon Coventry
Gordon "Nuts" Coventry was an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood Football Club in the Victorian Football League . With 1,299 goals over 18 seasons, Coventry remains one of the greatest full forwards the game has ever seen...
. Though Coventry was judged the instigator of the conflict, Murdoch was on Tuesday August 4 found guilty of retaliating and suspended for four matches. Though he played one more game Richmond did not re-engage him for 1937.