Being an integral member of a successful team is the dream of every footballer.
Yet few have experienced the achievements of Frank Murphy. The centre half-forward spent 10 seasons at Collingwood. He played in six Grand Finals and won four premierships.
Stories of the Machine Team are a thing of Collingwood legend. The group led by Jock McHale were dominant for half a decade, winning consecutive premierships in 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930.
Murphy is one of just 12 players to have featured in all four flags. During the four year timeframe, he played 78 games and lost just 11.
Underrated by most supporters, the 180cm forward was known as a skilful player – proficient on both side of his body, athletic, and quicker on foot than most tall defenders.
He also had a brother to share his incredible success with.
In 1928, Frank’s younger brother Len joined Collingwood’s senior side and forged a fine career as a ruckman.
Together, the pair became one of just six sets of brothers who have played together in a Collingwood premiership side.
At 29 years of age, Murphy’s storied career in the Black and White came to an end.
He left Melbourne for Western Australia, where he was captain-coach for Subiaco in the WAFL and then Kalgoorlie in the Goldfields Football League.
Twenty-one years after his death in 1995, Frank Murphy receives the recognition he has long deserved. The clever half-forward from the Machine Team is now a member of Collingwood’s Hall of Fame.
A man who sits in rarified air
Being an integral member of a successful team is the dream of every footballer. Yet few have experienced the achievements of Frank Murphy.