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.

“But I don’t think there will be too many Murphys over there - I think there’s only about six-and-a-half million over there!”

Murphy said being chosen to represent his country was the highlight of his football career so far.

“It’s obviously the biggest honour in my career,” he said. “It’s like being drafted again running around with all these superstars.

“I have to pinch myself every time I go out and even train with these guys.

“I’m sure it will sink in once we head over to Ireland. Playing in front of 85,000 people, it will sort of kick in. But at the moment I’m absolutely rapt, shocked, but absolutely rapt to be heading over with the guys.” Murphy said he was facing a challenge bringing himself up to speed with handling the round ball, but the sublimely-skilled youngster was confident he would be ready in time for the first test in Dublin on October 13.

“I’ve had a bit of a crash course and there’s definitely a few teething problems with the round ball that I’m having,” he said.

“But hopefully, the next few weeks will sort itself out.”