Former Carlton captain Marc Murphy believes a revolving exit door of players at the AFL club is now permanently shut.
And Murphy says their new-found stability will reap dividends as they prepare for Thursday night’s season-opener against Richmond.
“I have got no doubt we have drafted really well the last three or four years, including guys from other footy clubs,” Murphy told reporters on Monday.
“That is the reason why last year I wanted to stay on at this footy club because I believe that we’re certainly on the right path.
“We have got really good people … and now it’s just up to us players to get the ball rolling.
“I think the days of seeing 10 to 11 players exit the footy club (post-season) are done.
“It’s now about building this group as a whole … I’m really positive about where the footy club is at and where were’re going.
“I’m really confident … that we can make some real inroads this year.”
Murphy, who plays his 250th AFL game against the Tigers, signed a fresh contract at Carlton in June last year which expires at the end of the 2020 season.
The brilliant midfielder relinquished the captaincy at season’s end with Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty taking over.
Murphy said outsiders might believe handing over the leadership role would lessen expectations on him.
“But personally I have got a lot of pride in my own performance, it doesn’t mean that I will be going out there with any less expectation on myself,” he said.
“It was certainly the right time for Crippa and Doc to take the reins.
“And they have been doing a fantastic job … I’m there for them if they want to bounce ideas off me.”