Bulldog will feel at home once he gets to grips with round ball

IF it’s all in the name, talented young Bulldogs’ defender Robert Murphy should feel right at home in Ireland when he arrives with the Australian International Rules team today.

And it’s just as well, because it’s been a whirlwind few days for the 20-year old, who was a last-minute inclusion in the touring squad and is still coming to grips with the round ball. Murphy, who polled well to finish sixth in the Bulldogs’ best and fairest count on Sunday night in his second season at the club, has never been to Ireland before, but he’ll be carrying the family name when he steps off the plane in Dublin.

“My father slipped me an envelope tonight telling me where my family is from in case anyone asks me over there,” Murphy explained. “So I’ve got a little bit of knowledge going over there with me.