Playing team footy, making effective use of disposals, being hard defensively and winning games of football – that’s what Carlton captain Marc Murphy wants to see at the Blues.
 
After a disappointing loss to Brisbane on Sunday, the midfielder says it “stings” when the team does not perform at its peak.
 
“As the captain I’m a really proud person and I don’t want to be in the position we’re in at the moment,” he said.
 
“I’m about winning games of football, playing to the best of my ability and leading to the best of my ability for this footy club, because I love it.”
 
Murphy, who had 15 disposals and kicked two goals at the weekend, says low confidence is causing players to make poor decisions and turn the ball over.

“There’s a lot of little areas that we’re not meeting the mark at the moment, we’ve got to work through it together,” Murphy said.
 
“It’s not just going to turn by a few blokes doing a few things here and there – it’s going to be the collective coming together and working hard at training and implementing it on game day.”
 
Vice-captain Bryce Gibbs echoed Murphy’s sentiment, stating the entire playing group has to turn the season around.
 
“Pressure is put on all of us, it’s not Mick as the coach, it’s not Marc as the captain, it’s everyone in this together and we’ve just all got to keep working hard,” Gibbs said.
 
The game against the Lions was tight in the first half with Carlton up by a goal at half time, but in the last two quarters Brisbane out scored the Blues 7.8 to 5.5 to claim the four points.
 
Carlton’s leaders have been criticised for not stepping up when the game is in the balance, but Gibbs says everyone is working hard to fix it.

“When the game is on the line we want to be the ones stepping up and doing the best we can … it’s about everyone getting the job done when they need too,” Gibbs said.
 
Meanwhile Murphy said coach Mick Malthouse’s contract and the speculation surrounding it is the “furthest thing” from his mind.
 
“We’re focused on working with Mick and I want to see Mick coach at this football club for many more years yet,” Murphy said.
 
“Every club goes through tough times and we’re going through one of those tough times at the moment. I think it’s a real sign of who wants to be around and who want’s to rally together – I certainly do.”