MARC Murphy is well placed to know what makes a good head coach at Carlton.
The second-longest servant within the Blues' playing group behind stalwart Kade Simpson, the club's former skipper has had six coaches throughout his 14 years at Ikon Park.
Caretaker coach David Teague is the latest of those, with Murphy impressed by his ability to inspire the club's recent winning run – which has featured four victories in its last six games.
He's great at building relationships ... He's been enormous in that area since he came to the club. He just keeps things really simple - Marc Murphy on David Teague
Teague has subsequently made himself a frontrunner to take the job on a full-time basis, with Murphy backing his credentials as Carlton ramps up its search for a new senior coach.
"If we keep on winning, I think that will be the case," Murphy said on Tuesday.
Josh Deluca and the Carlton players celebrate the win over Gold Coast. Picture: AFL Photos
"Time will tell. Obviously, the club will go through a process at the end of the season, but at the moment 'Teaguey' is really enjoying his role and leading the guys.
"The guys are playing good footy behind him."
Murphy has played under Denis Pagan, Brett Ratten, Mick Malthouse, John Barker, Brendon Bolton and now Teague throughout his 263-game career at Carlton.
Denis Pagan and Marc Murphy in 2005 after the NAB AFL National Draft. Picture: AFL Photos
So, how does Teague stand apart from the rest?
"He's great at building relationships," Murphy said.
"He's been enormous in that area since he came to the club. He just keeps things really simple and he's big on guys playing their role and guys understanding what that requires.
"The guys are really buying into that at the moment."
Teague is one of three caretaker coaches currently plying their trade in the AFL, with Rhyce Shaw (North Melbourne) and Ratten (St Kilda) also enjoying instant success in their roles.
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According to Murphy, the intimate knowledge of the clubs they're working for has given such interim coaches a good advantage over outside competitors to win their jobs full-time.
"It certainly gives them the first shot," Murphy said.
"You're seeing that with North Melbourne as well at the moment with Rhyce Shaw.
"When a caretaker coach comes in and if they perform well, it obviously gives them a good head start. But I know the club will go through the process of choosing who the next coach will be and that's probably started already at the moment.
"They'll continue to go through that for the rest of the season."
