Former Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy says clubs should release their injury list post Grand Final, to ensure players are truly recognised for the pain and suffering they had to endure to write their name into the history books.
Year in and year out, in the wake of the Grand Final result, we often hear about the unsung heroes and the players that have played through an injury in a bid to help their team win the Grand Final.
In 2003 it is widely known that Nigel Lappin played with broken ribs, while Luke Hodge did the same and went on to win the Norm Smith Medal. Steve Johnson also kicked four goals on Grand Final day, one week after having his knee bend backwards, so it's very common to hear of these stories.
However, these in game injuries are well documented, but those that are carried throughout the season and into the finals series aren’t that well documented. Murphy’s call was motivated in the wake of Martin Flanagan’s book on the Bulldogs' 2016 premiership season titled “A Wink From the Universe” in which the Dog’s injury woes were documented in detail.
Jason Johannisen and Joel Hamling had minor calf strains.
Lachie Hunter was suffering with a knee issue.
Jack Macrae battled a hamstring problem.
Zaine Cordy had a minor fracture in his lower back.
Jake Stringer was struggling with chronic AC soreness.
Eight other players were all suffering from niggling injuries documented by Flanagan.
“I would think, as a matter of public interest, that post the Grand Final result clubs should put out what injuries players had on game day,” Murphy told SEN’s Whateley.
“Everyone at that point in the season has something.
“There are a lot of myths in footy but what players can play with at the time of the year is incredible.”
Murphy believes that the release of these results will go a long way in ensuring a player’s deeds take their rightful place in football’s history books.
