Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge notes Bob Murphy is in fine company if he retires without an AFL premiership.
Beveridge noted at Murphy's retirement announcement on Tuesday that St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt is also bowing out without a flag.
"He's one of the greatest ever to play the game, is Nick - and so's Bob," Beveridge said.
"It's just a fact, that he missed out on the (premiership) 22, but I think in the very near future that he'll get past that pretty quick.
"He's done too many other things for that to get in the way of his satisfaction."
Sitting alongside Murphy at the media conference, Beveridge made the comments amid plenty of questions about last year's premiership.
Murphy said if he goes out without a flag, which looks likely, it would leave a hole in his heart.
But Beveridge hopes people are not too caught up in Murphy famously not playing in the drought-breaking premiership.
While Murphy missed most of the season because of a knee reconstruction, he played a crucial off-field role and Beveridge famously presented Murphy with his premiership medallion.
"For me, he was like the 23rd player anyway," Beveridge said.
The Bulldogs' premiership defence still has a pulse, but that is weakening and Murphy will need an even bigger miracle than last year if his swan song is to be a grand final win.
They are ninth with big games against Port Adelaide and Hawthorn left.
Friday night's loss to GWS means the Bulldogs now need other results to also fall their way if they are to make the top eight.
The last premiership defence to end outside the finals was Hawthorn in 2009.
The Bulldogs host Port Adelaide on Saturday in Ballarat's redeveloped Eureka Stadium - the first time the ground has been used in the home and away season.
"It's a chance to make this stadium a little place where it's hard for opposition teams to come and play us," Beveridge said.
"We're looking to make the most of that on Saturday."
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