Western Bulldogs veteran Bob Murphy has denied reports that there is in-house fighting at Whitten Oval this season.
On Monday afternoon, SEN's David Schwarz reported on The Run Home that several off-field issues are hindering the premier's on-field performances, which have resulted in five losses in their past six matches.
โThere are players down there that arenโt seeing eye-to-eye on a number of issues, and some of them arenโt footy related,โ Schwarz said.
Murphy said that while he understood the club's recent performances would put them under intense media scrutiny, he was stunned to have heard about the story 'a couple of nights ago'.
โThereโs obviously plenty of noise around the club at the moment. Itโs our turn at the moment and you bring it upon yourselves with the way weโve lost in the last couple of weeks,โ he on SEN radio on Wednesday morning.
โI checked my phone a couple of nights ago and Robboโs tweeted (that) Ox is running with this story that thereโs infighting at the Dogs,
โI turned to my wife and said who are they talking about? I genuinely donโt know. Last night we had a team dinnerโฆeveryone was there, everyone stayed til the end. Itโs a non-issue.โ
Murphy, who has been sidelined since hurting his hamstring in the Dogs' last win in late May, said it was natural for there to be tension at a football club considering the high pressure environment.
โItโs a ferocious, unrelenting and accountable sport and profession,โ he said.
โThereโs always tension โ 45 players, 22 spots, the business model for morale is a tough one.
โWeโve got a great spirit at our footy club and for that to be challenged at the moment externally, thatโs when you get protective, and itโs insulting because it doesnโt reflect our life.โ
After losing by a combined 103 points over the past fortnight, the reigning premiers have slipped out of the top eight, with Murphy admitting it's natural to lose confidence when the team is not winning games.
โWhen you lose the way we have the last two weeks โ human nature of course you lose confidence,โ he said.
โExternally itโs always big, broad brush strokes. Itโs the premiership hangover or its infighting. Inside the club we go the other way. We donโt sit in there and go how do we deal with premiership hangover? Thatโs not our world at all."
The club has a favourable draw over the next fortnight with games against North Melbourne and West Coast both at Etihad Stadium as they bid to get their season back on track.
