Milan Murdock's AFL career is only eight games old, but on Saturday afternoon, he was already sharing the MCG spotlight with Scott Pendlebury. In front of more than 90,000 fans celebrating Pendlebury's record-breaking 443rd match, West Coast's pre-season revelation held his own on football's biggest stage.
The 25-year-old pre-season signing not only kicked a vital goal and gathered 22 disposals, but also excelled in a defensive forward role, effectively curtailing Magpies star Josh Daicos (18 disposals). And in the final quarter of the tense 13.14 (92) to 12.10 (82) defeat, Murdock went head-to-head with the man of the moment as the raucous crowd chanted the 443-gamer's name.
"It's crazy in the past four months, from being a tradie playing WAFL to playing in front of 90,000 at the 'G for a record-breaking game, it's awesome," Murdock told The West Australian. "I had a couple of one-on-ones with him (Pendlebury). I think we were pretty even there, so that was pretty special. He's been a great competitor for the past 433 games."
"I didn't even notice (the crowd), I was blocking it out pretty well. I was dialled into the game. It's still there, but there was a game to win. The resilience the group showed today was awesome. We're not satisfied with that, but there are a lot of positives to take out of it for the next month of footy."
"I just can't believe it, it's so cool. To play on Pendles, have Nick Daicos out there and all these guns, and even guys on my own team, playing with Harls (Harley Reid), it's so cool."
It is a far cry from The Good Grocer Park, where his former side East Fremantle beat the Eagles' WAFL side across the country at the same time. Murdock was a revelation after signing on the eve of the season as a replacement for the injured small forward Noah Long. Working as a pressure forward, the one-time WAFL star proved what many who had watched him play at the state league level for years already knew — he was capable of playing AFL football.
However, over the past two matches, coach Andrew McQualter has used Murdock's elite endurance and dogged nature to task him with restricting the opposition's most damaging ball users. It's a role Murdock is proving incredibly good at, having kept Greater Western Sydney half-back to a season-low 21 touches before effectively hindering Daicos' impact.
"I love it. It's a good challenge for me, tagging," Murdock said. "It seems to get under their skin a lot. They're coming after me, the whole backline. I quite enjoy it, and to be able to kick a goal offensively while doing that is good."
"I had a lot of meetings while I was injured with the forward line group before going through the middle after my injury, so I've got a lot of knowledge on that forward line now. Once I've got my position and who I am playing on, I can sort out the rest of the boys."
McQualter praised Murdock, who continued to rise to any role given to him despite his lack of experience. "Milan had another really strong game today. We gave him another task, and I thought he got the job done, which as an experienced team they could do," he said. "I thought Milan was an important piece to our team today."
Remarkably, despite Murdock becoming immediately one of the Eagles' best players even without a full pre-season under his belt, he is yet to be offered a contract beyond next season. He was signed to only a one-year rookie deal and is one of 18 Eagles who are out of contract at the end of this season, with the club's list already featuring a whopping 49 players and two more expected to be added in Tuesday's mid-season rookie draft.
Asked about his contract situation, Murdock said he had not heard too much. "My manager (Colin Young) is going to sort that out, but I am keen to stay, and hopefully I can stay for quite a long time," he said. "I feel pretty deserving, I guess. From what I am hearing, the club is happy, and Mini (McQualter) is happy with the work I am putting in. I am just here to play footy, teach and learn."
For now, he will sit with his fingers crossed that good mate in Claremont dynamo Zac Mainwaring will also find his way onto an AFL list this week. "I think he's a chance. I'm not sure he's been talked to yet," he said. "There are a few other boys (from the WAFL) who are a chance to be picked up in the mid-season (draft). We're going to get one or two, I think. The advice is just work hard, and you'll be fine, mate. If you're dedicated enough, you'll get there."
