Murphy is calling it a day after four years as Melton senior coach.

“My time’s up. It’s time for a fresh message.”

Murphy believes he is leaving the Bloods in a strong position – with a talented young, emerging list.

The 32-year-old is hoping Melton can emulate Bacchus Marsh model, where Cam Richardson provided a sound foundation as coach before Travis Hodgson put the final polish on to capture a premiership.

“Bacchus Marsh is a great blueprint.”

Murphy said he would like to think with the right coach and the addition of a couple more well credentialled players Melton could take the next step and become a force.

Murphy said he had been considering his football future for sometime and decided that after four years in the role it was time to pursue other opportunities.

He is keen to continue his coaching career – preferably closer to his home near Essendon.

Right now though Murphy is determined to end Melton’s finals drought. 

“I’m fully committed to getting us into the finals.”

Melton, which missed the finals by just one game last year, sits ninth one win outside the top six with five rounds to play.

The Bloods play Lake Wendouree on Saturday, followed by Sunbury, East Point, Melton South and North Ballarat City.

The last three in this sequence are in the battle for sixth with Melton – putting the Bloods’ fate largely in their own hands.

Murphy took on Melton in 2014 after the Bloods had won just the one game the previous season. The former Western Bulldogs player – he appeared in seven AFL games from 2003 to 2006 – made the move as a playing coach after taking captaining Hoppers Crossing in the Western Regional league.

He had coached Hoppers Crossing to three consecutive under-18 premiership.

Murphy phased down his on-field involvement last year by playing just six games before retiring and fulfilling a non-playing role this season.