Glenorchy Knights have a new man at the helm this season.
The reigning champions appointed Brian Murphy, 42, to replace James Sherman and the club is currently third on the NPL Tasmania standings.
I spoke to Murphy yesterday about his task at Knights this season.
Walter Pless: How do you think the Knights are going this year as the reigning league champions?
Brian Murphy: Considering we’ve lost eight players and are working with a squad that averages just 21.5 years of age, I believe we’re tracking quite well. We’ve recorded four wins and were 2-0 up against South Hobart before losing 4-2—an outcome that reflected some understandable naivety. Last week’s match against Launceston City was the first time I felt we were truly outplayed. We’ve also been hit with a number of soft tissue injuries, and losing Tyson [Barrett] for the season last weekend was a major blow. Taking all of these hurdles into account, the group’s effort and progress so far has been commendable. This weekend marks the end of round one and we are still very much in the hunt and have been competitive.
WP: Does being the champions raise supporters’ expectations?
BM: Absolutely it does. What James and the squad achieved last season was incredible, and naturally, it raises expectations. But as mentioned earlier, we’ve lost eight players, a new coach with different philosophies and playing styles, and the players are still adjusting and trying to gel as a completely new group. That said, we’ll always step onto the pitch with the intent to meet those expectations and give everything we’ve got.
WP: What is your playing and coaching background?
BM: I’ve played in the League of Ireland, as well as at Step 1 and Step 2 levels in the UK’s non-league system. I was also involved in the Victorian Premier League (before it became the NPL) with Springvale White Eagles, and had a stint with Eastern Suburbs in New Zealand, which was unfortunately cut short due to injury. That setback led me into coaching. During my time in New Zealand, I achieved back-to-back promotions with two different clubs and won a league title - so you could say I’ve picked up a bit of knowledge about the game along the way. But I am always learning and I am currently completing a Masters in Advanced Performance Football Coaching at the university of South Wales.
WP: What attracted you to the Knights?
BM: After stepping away from senior coaching to explore youth development with the Manchester City Soccer School at Parade College and leading the Under-18 NPL side at Caroline Springs in Victoria last season, I realised how much I missed the senior level. When the opportunity to coach in the NPL with Glenorchy Knights came up, it was an easy decision. The club’s recent success—having completed the double the year before (so might say it’s a poisoned chalice for that reason) — However, it meant there was a strong foundation in place, and the challenge of building on that as head coach was something I was excited about. Tasmania also presented a great lifestyle fit for my young family, making the move a natural and well-rounded choice.
WP: People are critical of the behaviour of some Knights supporters. What is your take on this?
BM: In football, it’s natural to encounter differing opinions and perspectives—that’s part of what makes the game so passionate and widely loved. From my experience, 99.9% of Knights supporters have been outstanding and incredibly supportive of the direction we’re taking. Of course, like in any club, there will always be a small minority who may view things differently. As for matters beyond the pitch, I believe it’s best for the club to address those directly. My focus remains on the players, our performances, and representing the club in the best way possible, which last week I let the players and the club down getting sent off. As they saying goes: ‘’Those in glass houses should not throw stones’.”
WP: Why were you suspended? Do you think it was fair?
BM: Yes, I believe the suspension was fair. I take full responsibility for my actions—I let my emotions get the better of me and, in doing so, I let down the players, coaching staff, and the club. Emotions were running high after a tough week for the club and I’ve become very protective of my players as a result. My reaction followed a particularly harsh tackle on one of our players, and unfortunately, I directed my frustration toward the opposing player involved. The referee, Nathan [Coad], had no choice but to issue a second yellow. It was a poor moment on my part and a hard but valuable lesson. It was actually the first time I’ve been sent off as a coach. I’m a passionate person, and sometimes that intensity spills over—something that’s perhaps more common in European football cultures, but I understand that here, I need to channel that energy more constructively. So, massive apologies to the club, supporters who were watching on, and the players. But, also the officials as without them we cannot play or coach the beautiful game.
WP: What is your coaching philosophy?
BM: People often speak about having a set coaching philosophy, but at this level, I believe adaptability is far more important. We don’t have the luxury of an open cheque book to bring in players to suit a rigid philosophy, so it’s crucial to build a strong culture and shape a playing style around the attributes of the squad you have.
That said, if I were to define my core footballing beliefs, they centre around fluid transitions, flexibility in formation, and a clear set of principles—breaking lines with both movement and passing, ensuring support underneath the ball, and maintaining defensive solidity. I believe in simplicity. Football can often be overcomplicated. At the end of the day, the objective is clear: score goals and don’t concede. Personally, I’d take a 1-0 win every week over a high-scoring shootout. Clean sheets are a big part of how I measure success. In saying that, we’ve only had two this season. So, we have a bit of work to do defensively.
WP: It’s only a third of the way through the season, but can Knights retain the title?
BM: Absolutely. I believe we can retain the title. We’ve already shown what we’re capable of with some strong performances and positive results. Of course, there have been games that slipped away from us, but that’s part of the journey—those moments are where growth and learning happen. We’re not going to be perfect every week, but I have real belief in this group. Like any team chasing silverware, we’ll need a bit of luck along the way, especially when it comes to keeping players fit. If we can do that, I’m confident we’ll be right there at the business end of the season, challenging for the title.
WP: Which other NPL teams have impressed you?
BM: Launceston City has certainly caught my eye. They’ve clearly invested heavily in rebuilding their squad this season, and credit to them—they’ve assembled a talented group. Their coach deserves recognition for how he’s got them playing an attractive, attack-minded brand of football, with some clever tactical rotations, particularly between fullback Kazuki Hashimoto and winger Angus Taylor. They’re the team everyone’s talking about at the moment, and with the resources they’ve put behind the project, I’d say anything less than a title push would be a disappointment for them.
WP: Are you happy with the squad that is available to you?
BM: Yes, I’m very happy with the squad. We’ve built a strong group while staying within the points cap, and I think we’ve done some excellent recruitment. The quality is there, and on our day, I believe we can match up with anyone in the league. Naturally, with a few players out through injury and others managing commitments outside of football, we’ll be looking to strengthen where possible once the transfer window opens—just like many clubs will be doing.
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