Collingwood young gun’s ‘reckless’ move

Collingwood young gun Nathan Murphy has channelled the great Nick Riewoldt with a fearless mark during Saturday afternoon’s match against the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG.

Early in the third quarter, Suns forward Sam Flanders looked to kick the footy towards teammate Izak Rankine inside 50 — but Murphy intervened.

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Running in the same direction as the Sherrin, the 21-year-old Magpie leapt through two players to claim a stunning intercept mark.

Murphy hit the deck at pace after making contact with Rankine’s shoulders and Isaac Quaynor’s head, but seemed relatively unfazed as he returned to his feet.

The youngster received a loud applause from the Melbourne crowd for the courageous effort, with a Gold Coast rival even giving him a congratulatory pat on the back.

You know it's impressive when you get your opponents respect. pic.twitter.com/q5N0xjoQlo

Bit of Nick Riewoldt at the SCG about that Nathan Murphy mark. Incredible #AFLPiesSuns

Collingwood was only trailing by 10 points when the moment occurred, and Melbourne great Garry Lyon called it a potentially “season-turning” defensive move.

Meanwhile, Brisbane Lions triple-premiership player Jonathan Brown referred to the mark as “courageous” and “reckless”.

“I reckon when you run this side-by-side with the Riewoldt grab, it’s going to compare,” Lyon told Fox Footy.

“I would never be bold to say it was better, but it’s going to compare pretty favourably.

“He didn’t hesitate and didn’t take his eyes off the ball. There’s so much Riewoldt about this. Even the way he spun around in mid-air and took this ball.

“I thought from that moment, that was the good luck gone. This is a young man who has been around for a while is going to lift this group up.”

Nathan Murphy of the Magpies.Source:News Corp Australia

Nathan Murphy’s mark.Source:Getty Images

The Magpies ultimately suffered their first ever loss to Gold Coast at the MCG — but thankfully, not many fans witnessed the lacklustre spectacle.

Only 24,397 spectators attended the round seven clash, the second-lowest crowd for a Collingwood fixture at the iconic MCG since 1988.

Playing in his first AFL game since 2018, Murphy contributed 15 disposals and seven marks in the 24-point defeat.

Still searching for their first win since March, Collingwood will next face wooden spoon favourites North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

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