Milan Murdock: The new West Coast Eagles cult hero that was questioned by friends over AFL dream

Milan Murdock was overlooked so many times while chasing his AFL dream that even his friends began to openly question his relentless pursuit.

The 25-year-old became an instant cult hero after a stunning debut against Gold Coast on Sunday, only 17 days after he landed on West Coast’s list.

Murdock was arguably the Eagles’ best in the 59-point belting, kicking two goals from 22 disposals to go with eight score involvements, five tackles and four clearances.

He took to social media on Monday with a cheeky swipe at Suns defender Mac Andrew, who gifted Murdock his first major with a free kick and 50-metre penalty.

‘Thanks for my first goal,’ the caption reads along with an emoji of a goat, a reference to the ‘greatest of all time’ acronym.

A star midfielder for WAFL club East Fremantle, Murdock had been on the verge of the big league for several years but always found himself missing out and returning to work as an apprentice electrician.

Sharks premiership captain Matthew Jupp said Murdock was so single-minded in his goal that not even doubts from close friends deterred him.

“He got knocked back so many times, kicked in the guts so many times, even to the point when people would openly question him,” he told The West Australian.

“Friends openly questioned his dedication as to why he would continue to put in the amount of effort he did for the little reward.

“To be able to withstand that pressure of continually being knocked back to then go ahead, get his chance and perform the way he did — he should be so proud of himself.”

Having made a name for himself as a big-game player, the three-time Simpson Medallist’s incredible first AFL appearance did not surprise his former teammate.

Jupp said he got a sense of déjà vu, having been part of the team when a then-teenage Murdock dominated on his debut for the Sharks almost a decade ago.

“He did all the things that I’ve seen him do before, so it wasn’t surprising, it was just cool to see him do it at the next level,” he said.

“I still remember when he debuted for East Fremantle, in a team that was losing every game by 100 points — not too dissimilar to the Eagles — as an 18-year-old, he came in and had 27 (touches) on debut.

“He put together a similar performance at AFL level, so I am not surprised but incredibly impressed.”

Murdock spent the next 99 games at the Sharks, developing into one of the best midfielders outside the AFL and playing a pivotal role in their 2023 premiership, winning the Simpson Medal as best on ground.

He would win two more representing Western Australia in the annual state game, keeping himself firmly on the radar of AFL clubs, including the Eagles, who nearly recruited him in last year’s mid-season rookie draft before deciding to go with young South Australian forward Jacob Newton.

Former East Fremantle football manager Brad Dodd said Murdock’s work behind the scenes ensured he stood out from other part-time footballers.

“He has an unbelievable competitive nature. Even in normal runs, he’d want to win it all,” he said.

“We had a time when (former Gold Coast midfielder) Josh Schoenfeld came in, and he was a better runner than Milan. It just drove him to work on his running to catch Josh. Everything we did, he was ultracompetitive; he had the willingness to work hard and get better.

“And it’s also the self-belief he’s got, but he’d also seek feedback. In any areas of his game he felt he needed to work on, he’d go away and do that. Whether it was hiring a sprint coach or working on his kicking. He would just work harder than everyone.”

Dodd warned that Murdock’s first-up showing at the AFL level would just be the start.

“He will keep working on his game and keep getting better,” he said.

“His ability to run and find space. Get in there, tackle and harass. That’s been a cornerstone of his game since round one.”

Jupp called out AFL recruiters who continued to overlook mature-age players like Murdock, who missed out in their teenage years but put together incredibly consistent seasons in state leagues to become top footballers.

“There’s continually more of those stories coming out with the likes of (Geelong’s) Shaun Mannagh and Tom Stewart, guys who toil away at these levels for so long,” he said.

“They just prove that if given the chance, they’re well and truly good enough. Sometimes I think the recruiters outsmart themselves. This guy was performing at a very, very high level for a number of years.

“Why wasn’t he given an opportunity earlier? I always scratch my head (at that), and you get what you get. I am not surprised that he performed the way he did, and I’m sure he’s going to continue to do it because the work that he puts in will continue to show.”