IT WAS a tough day at the office, but Marc Murphy drew a lot of satisfaction from the way his team was able to grind out the win over Richmond on Saturday.

Windy conditions at the MCG that sent litter from the stands swirling out onto the ground made the match a tough one to watch at times, but Murphy was happy with the workman-like performance that yielded the 20-point victory.

"It was good from the point-of-view that we didn't really play that well, but we were able to come away with the four points anyway," Murphy said.

"We were able to grind out a win in what was an ugly game which is something we've struggled with in the past.
 
"It was obviously really windy which made conditions pretty tricky for both sides. It was a bizarre sort of day because it was just swirling around everywhere … I think I'd rather it be raining heavily."

After a short turnaround from last Sunday's win over Fremantle in Perth, the Blues' physical and mental toughness was challenged by the Tigers who mounted a late challenge with three goals in succession.

"The last few years we haven't won a lot of games especially when we've come off a long trip and a six-day break," Murphy admitted.

"If a side had got to within three goals of us in the past there's every chance they would have kicked on with it, but we were able to hold them up when they started to get a run on which was good."

Brendan Fevola's nine goal performance was the difference between the sides and Murphy admitted he looked on in awe at some of the spearhead's on-field feats.

"Me and Gibbsy just looked at each other and laughed when he kicked that goal over the top of his head," he said.

"You get the feeling sometimes that he can do anything out on the ground; he's just got such freakish skills."