The BomberLand team caught up with Justin Murphy after his 3.2km time trial.
Q. How does it feel to come to a new club?
A. When I knew I had a chance to come here when my contract had expired at Carlton, I told my manager to do whatever he could to get me to Essendon. The opportunity I have been given to play at this club is something I am really excited about. In terms of being able to play finals football and play with the great players here - I am just over the moon.
Q. Most Essendon supporters when they think of you will think of throwing that ball up at the end of the 1999 preliminary final. How do you feel about that?
A. The first day of training, John Quinn our fitness advisor, made sure he reminded me of it. He showed the photo of me holding the ball up in the air. It is quickly forgotten and I am just part of the side and I can't wait to actually go out there and play with these blokes. Click here to watch Murphy in action next season for the Bombers - renew or purchase your 2004 Essendon membership.
Q. How did you go today in the time trial?
A. I feel good. I ran about 11.50 minutes, which is pretty good for me for this time of year. It is something I will get better at and run quicker towards the end of pre-season.
Q. Do you feel a bit like the lone traveler because this is your fifth change?
A. I have played at four clubs, but I am just grateful that I have got another chance. I never know what might of happened if I had stayed at Carlton and my contract finished, I might have been delisted and I didn't want to take that chance. I jumped at the chance to come here and I have got Matty Allan here with me, which is great because he is a good mate of mine. We are hoping for big things for us next year and the footy club.
Q.Has anyone spoken to you about what sort of role you might play in the side next season?
A. I will probably play in the mid-field and push forward a little bit. That is the opportunity I have got here and that is what the coaching staff said I have the chance to do. That is one of the reasons I did move across as well. If I can help this team in any way I can, I will be really happy.
Q. A lot of very good players have played at a number of clubs. What do you put it down to?
A. I suppose this time, it was my chance to say where I wanted to go. With Geelong it probably wasn't my decision in the end, it was the clubs decision. That is in the past now. I had a chance to come to this footy club and I took it. I am going to make sure I make every post a winner here at Essendon.
Q. Did you speak much to Kevin Sheedy before coming across to Essendon?
A. I had a meeting with Sheeds and Kevin Egan (Chairman of Selectors) and a meeting with Adrian Dodoro and Mark Harvey a couple of weeks before that. I also came down to the footy club and met everyone and checked out the facilities. I was really keen to come across to Essendon. I always liked to play against Essendon because they are such a great club. You know if you have played well against Essendon then you have had a good game.
Q. Adam Ramanauskas trained today. Coming into the club, what does he mean to everyone?
A. It has been good. I don't really know Rama that well but from what I have seen with the guys he is so well respected and just to see him run today is a good step towards his recovery. If he can get out there and play, I think we will have a pretty good football side next season.
Click here to read about new recruit Matthew Allan's first day at the club.
Click here to read about the results from the 3.2km time trial.
