{"id":219469,"date":"2026-07-31T15:48:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T05:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=219469"},"modified":"2026-07-31T15:48:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T05:48:18","slug":"vfl-player-focus-caylen-murray-brisbane-lions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/07\/31\/vfl-player-focus-caylen-murray-brisbane-lions\/","title":{"rendered":"VFL Player Focus: Caylen Murray (Brisbane Lions)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

IT WAS an exciting couple of days for Brisbane Lions Academy prospect Caylen Murray<\/a>. After being awarded honours as half-back in the Under 18s All-Australian side, Murray found himself competing against North Melbourne for the Lions VFL side a few days later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming off the back of a standout performance for the Allies in June, where he had 31 disposals and 2 goals against South Australia, Murray managed 13 disposals and 3 intercepts in a high-scoring affair at Brighton Homes Arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We put Murray\u2019s performance under the Player Focus microscope.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/div>
\"LionsLions Academy<\/a>Midfielder-Defender<\/span><\/div>

Caylen Murray<\/h4>

Height: <\/span>183cm<\/p>

Weight: <\/span> - <\/p>

DOB: <\/span>03-01-2008<\/p><\/div><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PLAYER FOCUS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

2026 VFL: Round 18<\/strong>
Brisbane Lions 20.11 (131) def. North Melbourne 19.4 (118)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#61 Caylen Murray (Brisbane Lions VFL)<\/strong>
Stats: <\/strong>13 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 intercepts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FIRST QUARTER:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The game started at a breakneck speed, with end-to-end footy a constant theme. Murray slotted into the half-back role and found himself with a couple of touches in the term via two uncontested marks and kicks that found teammates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Murray showed great endeavour to stick with his opponent as well as defensively transition – which both sides were doing plenty of. However, the speed of the game took Murray a bit of time to get used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Late in the quarter, Murray got himself into a great position to rove a defensive half contest. But he almost got there too early because as the ball hit the ground, his opponent – who started behind him – was able to beat a flat-footed Murray to the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SECOND QUARTER:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second quarter was where Murray found his feet and acclimatised to how the game was being played. On numerous occasions, Murray showed a great desire to leave his man to cut off opposition ball movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A real highlight came from a North kick-in, where he read the play, cut off the errant kick inside Brisbane\u2019s forward 50 and dished it off to a teammate. His effort allowed the Lions to keep it in the front half, and resulted in a goal just seconds later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were even a few occasions where his reading of the play didn\u2019t even result in a stat, but he was able to get a hand in that would lead to a teammate winning the ball back. As the game saw 24 goals in the first half, Murray\u2019s adjustment to the free flowing footy was evident in the second quarter, where he showed a willingness to cut offensive threats off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THIRD QUARTER:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the Lions began to dominate territory and scoreboard ascendancy, Murray found himself in more high-possession areas. There was one instance at a stoppage on the wing, where he won the ball, broke a tackle and handballed to a teammate, earning himself the clearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later in the term, he received a handball on the run that led to an advantageous kick from Murray which reached a teammate on the bounce inside 50. Despite Brisbane\u2019s offensive control, Murray still showed careful diligence to his man around stoppages and defensive half contests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOURTH QUARTER:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was North Melbourne\u2019s turn to have some forward half control, which saw Murray earn some disposals a lot deeper defensively than in previous quarters. Whether it was being a link in an uncontested mark chain, or winning a ground ball in defensive 50, Murray consistently found his teammates with every possession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a moment in the final term where he took an uncontested mark, went to play on in the backline and invited his opponent to pressure. While this is a shaky moment for many youngsters, Murray showed fantastic composure to sidestep the opponent, buy himself significantly more time and hit up a teammate with a high percentage kick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLOSING THOUGHTS\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Murray\u2019s VFL performance is one that proves he has the composure and skill to advance his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While his numbers don\u2019t light up the stat sheet, Murray didn\u2019t put a foot wrong with his ball use and decision making throughout an end-to-end game of footy. It\u2019s clear that Murray plays with a level-headiness that saw him deservedly earn that Under 18s All-Australian half-back spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This chaotically open game that ultimately had 39 goals kicked in it took Murray a bit of adjusting to get used to, especially defensively. However, he should be proud with his defensive production for the majority of the game. His reading of the play and continual desire to halt opposition momentum was an underrated part of his game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>