Former Carlton skipper Marc Murphy has joined VFL club Port Melbourne's coaching staff for the 2025 season, alongside premiership Bomber Steven Alessio.
Across a storied 16-year career at the Blues, Murphy played 300 games and led the team as captain between 2013 and 2018.
The ball-magnet midfielder earned All-Australian honours in 2011 and was a club best and fairest in that year too, as well as in 2017. He eventually retired following his 300th game against Port Adelaide in 2021.
184-game Essendon ruckman Steven Alessio was also announced as an addition to the Borough's coaching panel.
After a 12-year career averaging a goal per game and 10 hitouts, the 203cm Bomber joined Essendon in numerous off-field roles, such as football operations manager and ruck coach.
More recently, he coached VAFA Premier team St Bernard's Old Collegians, winning a Premier B premiership in 2023 after an undefeated season.
Port Melbourne announced the new coaching inclusions via social media.
"Port Melbourne Football Club is excited to welcome former Carlton FC captain Marc Murphy and former Essendon FC premiership ruckman Steven Alessio to the PMFC coaching staff for the 2025 season," the club said.
"Welcome to the Borough Marc & Steven!"
The two ex-AFL players join a host of other former elite-level players at the club in 2025. Former Essendon coach and player James Hird joined the club as a football director after reportedly turning down the head coaching gig, while another ex-Bomber, recently retired Dyson Heppell, will don the blue and red stripes in 2025.
Axed Bomber Tex Wanganeen, Tiger Will Martyn, Saint James Van Es and North Melbourne's Charlie Lazzaro are all recently signed recruits to the VFL standalone side for 2025, aiming to improve on a 16th-placed finish in 2024.
