Star Blues say they will stay put in AFL

Senior Carlton players Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs are adamant they have assurances from the embattled AFL club they will not be traded.

Earlier this season, president Mark LoGiudice sparked speculation about what would happen to Murphy and Gibbs at the end of the season.

In a media interview, LoGiudice chose not to put them off-limits for potential trading.

But the pair said in radio interviews on Saturday that the club had since assured them of their futures.

Murphy, Carlton’s captain, and Gibbs have contracts with Carlton that run beyond this season.

“What I will tell you is the club sat us down a couple of weeks ago, both me and Marc, and said we’re not going anywhere,” Gibbs told SEN.

“We’ve committed to the footy club and the footy club has committed to both of us – we’re going to be here for the next few years.”

Gibbs added that the meeting featured embattled coach Mick Malthouse.

Murphy is also firmly under the impression Carlton will not try to trade him.

“I spoke to the relevant people and asked the question – they’ve assured me that I won’t be going anywhere,” he told Triple M.

But the pair have no answers to Carlton’s woes, which worsened with their 77-point loss on Friday night to Geelong.

The Blues are bottom on the ladder with one win from eight games.

“Some of our efforts as a team this year have been pathetic,” Gibbs said.

“We do recognise that and we take full responsibility.

“We’re trying our best to get out of it.”

Murphy admitted the talk around Carlton about rebuilding might be having an effect on some teammates.

“I suppose it has to be in your subconscious when you continually hear people talk about rebuilding,” he said.

“It definitely does catch the ears of everyone on the list.

“But as captain, I have to reinforce that there’s no mid-season draft.

“The players we have here at the moment are the players we have until … September.”

Murphy and Gibbs had no easy answers for why Carlton are playing so badly.

“There are a lot of people I feel sorry for at the moment and Mick’s definitely one of them,” Murphy said.

“Our supporters are right up there as well, players as well.

“Everyone is not happy with where we’re at.

“It is disappointing for Mick, because he does show a lot of faith in us.

“There’s no real positive light I can shine on anything at the moment, which is really disappointing to say.”

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