CARLTON captain Marc Murphy says the prospect of leaving the Blues to chase a premiership elsewhere would have left him with a "hollow feeling", with the veteran midfielder convinced that the club is building something special at Ikon Park.

Murphy ended speculation regarding his future by officially committing to a two-year deal with the Blues on Monday, effectively making him a one-club player.

Set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, Murphy informed his teammates and coach Brendon Bolton of his decision to re-sign last Wednesday, but held off announcing his new deal in the lead-up to Kade Simpson's 300th game.

Speaking on Monday and with his new deal now confirmed, the 30-year-old stressed he didn't speak with any rival clubs before penning his contract with Carlton, saying he feels the rebuilding club is heading in the right direction.

"It's the reason why you play football, to ultimately play in a premiership," Murphy said.

"But the thinking behind it was that I'd spent 13 years here. Would it be a hollow feeling going somewhere else and doing that? I'm keen to stick it out here and try to be part of something special. We're certainly building a list that ultimately can get to that stage."

Murphy returned to action from a foot injury on Saturday, winning 28 disposals in an impressive display in Carlton's 21-point defeat to Port Adelaide.

He said his time on the sidelines, having missed nine of the club's last 10 matches, gave him the opportunity to watch from a fan's perspective and evaluate the team's future.

"I did a fair bit of thinking," Murphy said.

"I think it was important to sit down and have a think about what is important in my life and in my footy career. Ultimately, I thought staying here and being captain is a really important role that I hold dear. I wanted to finish off as a Carlton player for the rest of my career."

Gun youngster Patrick Cripps deputised as Carlton's captain in the absence of Murphy, with the 23-year-old winning praise for the manner in which he led by example.

However, Murphy said the prospect of handing over the captaincy to either Cripps or injured vice-captain Sam Docherty at season's end hadn't yet crossed his mind.

"I haven't even really thought about that," Murphy said.

"I'm rapt to lead this footy club and whenever that time comes where I hand it over and someone grabs that with both hands … we'll work that out at the end of the season."

Yet being the club's captain played into Murphy's thinking before re-signing with the club, with the Blues skipper saying he wanted to lead by example in recommitting.

"Being a leader of a footy club, it's important you set the right example," Murphy said.

"Everything I say to the boys day-to-day, I haven't wavered from that. I've been really strong in where I see this place going. I think it's good for them to know I'm right behind them."