Australian Football

A half forward in each of Collingwood's record-breaking sequence of four consecutive Grand Final victories from 1927-30, Frank Murphy played a total of 145 VFL games for the Magpies between 1925 and 1934, kicking 120 goals. Equally accomplished on the ground or in the air, he was also a good kick with either foot. He represented the VFL three times.

In 1935 Murphy moved to Western Australia where he took on the captain-coaching role at Subiaco, steering the Maroons to a losing grand final against West Perth in his debut season. His remaining two years at the helm were less successful, however; the side dropped to fourth place in 1936, before succumbing to the ultimate indignity of a wooden spoon the following year. As a player, Murphy continued to provide good service as he added another 52 league games to his career record.

The 1938 season saw Murphy remaining in Western Australia as coach of GNFL club Kalgoorlie City. He also coached a combined goldfields side that year in a memorable clash with St Kilda in which a total of 42 goals was kicked. After several years out of football, Frank Murphy returned to Perth in 1946 for another stint as coach of Subiaco, steering his charges as far as the Preliminary Final, where they lost to West Perth. After such a promising start it was unfortunate for the Maroons that burgeoning business commitments prevented Murphy from resuming as coach in 1947, and indeed his noteworthy career at football's highest level was now over.

Author - John Devaney