Michael Hurley is a rising star — it’s only a matter of time.
ROUND one of any AFL season is always a much-anticipated occasion.
It signals the end of the preliminaries and the beginning of the real thing. It is also the unveiling of a crop of prodigiously talented youngsters who have tantalised us all by showcasing their abilities through the various elite under-age competitions, culminating in the 16 clubs investing heavily in them at the national draft table.
Watching these players make the transition to senior football is a fascinating and exciting process. Some jump out of the blocks and surprise everyone with their ability to cope with the speed, tempo and physicality of the game.
Others merely confirm what the recruiting officers have known for several years, and start paying dividends on that hefty investment from the moment they take the field.
Essendon played Port Adelaide on a Sunday, in Adelaide, in round one this year. I can vividly recall sitting down to catch a quarter or two of that match on the television and being totally captured by the way one such player was going about his business on his AFL debut.
Michael Hurley was playing in the back line in his first game, opposed to a man, Warren Tredrea, who was playing in his 228th. Hurley was magnificent, throwing himself into the fray with no regard for his own safety while maintaining a composure and calmness that bellied his years.
He stood shoulder to shoulder with Tredrea in a marking contest — something that Tredrea has done, and prevailed in, over the years against some of the finest defenders in the game — and out-positioned him and took a strong mark under pressure.
Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams did the right thing and isolated Tredrea and Hurley deep in Port’s forward line, figuring that the last place a young player on debut would want to be was oneout in the forward line on a three-time best and fairest and four-time All-Australian.
Within 20 minutes he had to have a serious re-think. Hurley continually beat Tredrea one out. I left the house thinking a new AFL star was born.
The following week, Hurley suffered a quad injury before returning to play with Coburg in the VFL. On the verge of returning to Essendon’s senior side he broke his wrist and it wasn’t until round 15 that he reappeared at AFL level.
During his absence, a whole host of some of the most exciting young talent to emerge in a long time were making their mark in the game and being rewarded with the sought-after Rising Star nominations.
Patrick Dangerfield was doing his best Mark Ricciuto impersonation, Stephen Hill was gliding and slicing his way around Subiaco Oval, Jack Ziebell had Kangaroos fans smiling, Andy Otten was slaying them for Adelaide, Jack Grimes was one of the few shining lights for Melbourne, Dayne Beams just kept getting better and better, and Hurley’ teammate, Tayte Pears, was playing in the most difficult position on the field, and taking it in his stride.
And then there was Daniel Rich. Nominated as the round one Rising Star, the Lion just kept, well, rising. He was taken at pick No. 7, the same spot as the previous two winners, Rhys Palmer and Joel Selwood, so that quirky tradition looks set to continue if, as expected, Rich is crowned as this year’s winner.
He has been outstanding, playing every game in the midfield for the Brisbane Lions, impressing with his toughness, maturity, composure and a left foot that compares with , if not surpasses, Stuart Dew.
So good has he been that it is said that some bookmakers have conceded he was past the post weeks ago and have already started paying out to those who backed him.
I wonder, however, if there was to be one more week of the season to run, and Hurley was to produce another stunning performance like the one he delivered against the Hawks on Saturday, whether one or two of those bookies might just be regretting their tempestuous generosity.
The roles that Hurley, and Pears for that matter, have undertaken this year must carry plenty of weight when the selectors sit down to vote. Playing in a key position, against some of the games biggest matchwinners, is an enormous responsibility.
With the Bombers under siege late in the game, having been in front for most of the day against the previously unbeaten St Kilda two weeks ago, Hurley found himself, once again, one out in his defensive 50 with the No. 1 in-form forward in the competition. There was nowhere to hide for Hurley, no teammate in the vicinity to help out. He knew, Nick Riewoldt knew, the 50,000 people at the ground knew, that the next ball to come into the Saints forward line was going to be directed to the two of them. And it did.
The fans held their breath, a shot at history on the line for the Saints, a likely spot in the finals for the Bombers. Riewoldt initiates contact, Hurley seems out of position, vulnerable, but rather than stumble and concede, secure with the safety net of knowledge that no one would condemn him for being outmarked by the superstar, he pushes back, and it is Riewoldt, not the first-year player, who stumbles and falls.
Hurley marks surely and repels the attack once more. For me, that one, single piece of play is worth 20 uncontested possessions in the midfield. Seven days later and Essendon plays Hawthorn at the MCG in an early elimination final. The Bombers look slow, tentative and unable to cope with the pressure.
Then, 22 points down, Matthew Lloyd knocks out Brad Sewell and a tanker of petrol is poured onto a game that already had a healthy glow about it.
But it wasn’t Lloyd who played the most significant role in the eventual turnaround, though his influence through that moment was profound. Instead, it was Hurley, not in defence, but rather in the Essendon forward line which, with Lloyd’s struggle for form and Scott Lucas’ retirement was looking sadly impotent.
Hurley was quite simply magnificent, kicking four second-half goals and having a hand in a couple of others, all at a time when the game was at it’s hottest and the Bombers season on the line.
He led beautifully, kicked goals from all parts of the ground and capped off the day by coolly swinging onto his left side and, after identifying there were no better options, calmly slotted the goal from 50 metres on his non-preferred boot.
Maybe I have a little forward-line bias, but that half of footy was worth 20 contested midfield possessions. When the votes are tallied tomorrow, I expect the fact that Hurley has only played nine games for the season will work against him, and that is understandable. And in Rich, Hill, Beams, Dangerfield, Otten and others, it is not like the selectors are light on for choice.
But if Hurley had another couple of games under his belt, I think he is the genuine challenger to Rich. Bear in mind, however, if the Bombers lose to Adelaide on Friday night, that leaves Hurley with only 10 games to his name for the year and, under the rules of the Rising Star, eligible for next year’s award.
I wonder how early the bookies will start paying out on that one.
How Good is Hurley?
Re: How Good is Hurley?
It's not often that I find myself agreeing with Lyon, but he is the only commentator to acknowledge this.The roles that Hurley, and Pears for that matter, have undertaken this year must carry plenty of weight when the selectors sit down to vote. Playing in a key position, against some of the games biggest matchwinners, is an enormous responsibility.
With the Bombers under siege late in the game, having been in front for most of the day against the previously unbeaten St Kilda two weeks ago, Hurley found himself, once again, one out in his defensive 50 with the No. 1 in-form forward in the competition. There was nowhere to hide for Hurley, no teammate in the vicinity to help out. He knew, Nick Riewoldt knew, the 50,000 people at the ground knew, that the next ball to come into the Saints forward line was going to be directed to the two of them. And it did.
The fans held their breath, a shot at history on the line for the Saints, a likely spot in the finals for the Bombers. Riewoldt initiates contact, Hurley seems out of position, vulnerable, but rather than stumble and concede, secure with the safety net of knowledge that no one would condemn him for being outmarked by the superstar, he pushes back, and it is Riewoldt, not the first-year player, who stumbles and falls.
Hurley marks surely and repels the attack once more. For me, that one, single piece of play is worth 20 uncontested possessions in the midfield.
Essendunny
Re: How Good is Hurley?
In the Scum today they had "expert" tips for the Rising Star, one of them tipped Hurley to win it, because for them he sees him as being the best nominee despite him only playing 9 games so far.
Of course one of the other muppets reckoned Danye Beams should win because he has been pretty good, but more importantly, has really helped Collingwood's midfield rotation. WTF!!
If we do lose on Friday night, Hurley will have only played 10 games, making him eligible for the award again next year. One would think that if he stays fit and continues playing and a similar level next year, or even improves, then he would shit the award in next year.
Of course one of the other muppets reckoned Danye Beams should win because he has been pretty good, but more importantly, has really helped Collingwood's midfield rotation. WTF!!
If we do lose on Friday night, Hurley will have only played 10 games, making him eligible for the award again next year. One would think that if he stays fit and continues playing and a similar level next year, or even improves, then he would shit the award in next year.
Re: How Good is Hurley?
"The fans held their breath, a shot at history on the line for the Saints, a likely spot in the finals for the Bombers. Riewoldt initiates contact, Hurley seems out of position, vulnerable, but rather than stumble and concede, secure with the safety net of knowledge that no one would condemn him for being outmarked by the superstar, he pushes back, and it is Riewoldt, not the first-year player, who stumbles and falls."
This was a great piece of journalism from a writer that has rarely inspired me. I immediately recalled the situation and the mark over Niek.
For years we have seen our gun recruits hit the park only to hear the well worn comment, "it's going to take a few years for the kid to find his feet in AFL" or something similar.
Here's a kid who, after a couple of setbacks, has set the world on fire. It's ages since I can recall such an impressive impact from a newcomer. A massive bonus to the team who, only a few games ago, was wondering where the goals were going to come from.
That left foot 50m "snap" will stay with me forever!!
This was a great piece of journalism from a writer that has rarely inspired me. I immediately recalled the situation and the mark over Niek.
For years we have seen our gun recruits hit the park only to hear the well worn comment, "it's going to take a few years for the kid to find his feet in AFL" or something similar.
Here's a kid who, after a couple of setbacks, has set the world on fire. It's ages since I can recall such an impressive impact from a newcomer. A massive bonus to the team who, only a few games ago, was wondering where the goals were going to come from.
That left foot 50m "snap" will stay with me forever!!
Too far for Baker now he's on to it, now he’s got it, OPEN GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Dons are in front by one point at the 8 minute mark
Re: How Good is Hurley?
That article seems to forget that we played Fremantle between our games against St Kilda and Hawthorn.
It says that 7 days after the St Kilda game we were playing Hawthorn.
It says that 7 days after the St Kilda game we were playing Hawthorn.
Re: How Good is Hurley?
Another pro hurley article, this time from Lethal.
Leigh Matthews.(afl.com.au)
UNLESS a major shock is in store, the NAB AFL Rising Star will today be officially awarded to Brisbane Lion Daniel Rich. It would surprise if he did not get top votes from every judge.
Rich has joined Cyril Rioli (2008) and Joel Selwood (2007) as players whose debut years have been so outstanding they have become integral and irreplaceable parts of their teams after only a handful of games.
The fact that Rich was draft choice No.7, Rioli 12 and Selwood 7 is further proof that rating teenagers as senior prospects is very hit and miss, and that selections are made according to varying degrees of short, medium and long-term needs.
First-year draftees that become very good straight away are invariably small and medium-sized players. High-performing teenage talls is almost a contradiction in terms.
When clubs draft height, a short-term benefit is rarely expected – it is a pick for the longer-term future.
The other fact is that a player can be a man at 18 or a boy well into his 20s. They are all different and will develop at varying speeds. Jonathan Brown was a man at 18 but he is the exception, not the rule. Very few young talls have the physical maturity to match it with their older and stronger opponents.
Which is why the brilliant early form of young Bomber Michael Hurley is quite amazing.
No first-year player of any size or shape should ever have his papers stamped because all we get initially are glimpses of what the mature, experienced product might become.
Yet whenever I look at a young player I am either impressed, pessimistic or it is simply too early to tell.
Take 2008 No. 1 pick Jack Watts. Although he is 196cm tall, he is still a boy against the men. At the beginning of the season he was only 83kg, light as a cork against the bigger bodies and he was never going to give Melbourne an early return on their investment. Watts was always a selection for the future not the present.
Last year's No.2 pick Nic Naitanui was by comparison 96kg. While still on learner plates in footy smarts, he had the size to cope well with the physical requirements of senior footy and the bouncy athleticism to make him an exciting and very watchable prospect.
At pick No.5, Hurley was 193cm but already a strong 91kg. Not fully mature but much more than a skinny kid.
During the last few of the nine games he has played to this point, Hurley has done a few things that proven champs such as Nick Riewoldt, Adam Goodes or Matthew Scarlett would be proud of.
In the frantic last quarter of Essendon's narrow round 20 win over the previously unbeaten St Kilda, a long high ball lobbed into the Saints' forward 50.
Matched on Riewoldt at the time, the Essendon youngster established strong body contact, had the strength and balance to prevent the Saints captain from getting at the footy and took the final step back to mark the ball himself. This piece of play was a fantastic example of composure under extreme pressure: confidence and skill which only the best power defenders could match.
Then in last week's finals position-decider against Hawthorn, again in a stirring final quarter with the game in the balance, Hurley won possession a little outside his team's attacking 50. With no better option available he turned inboard onto his non-dominant side, calmly spun the footy in his hands to get it lace out and slotted the long-range left-foot goal.
Inexperienced teenagers, particularly those 190cm-plus, just do not normally have the wherewithal to do such things. When one does it creates a raise the eyebrows moment of "how good is this kid?".
Rich has helped lift the Lions into the finals, has played every game and quickly become an elite ball-getter with a devastating ability to pass the ball accurately, low and flat anything up to 60 metres.
When he has the footy, the Lions are at their most dangerous and he is clearly the best performed of last year's draftees. He is built like a man and plays like one.
Yet in only half a season Hurley has produced such high quality glimpses that in my view, he is the most outstanding prospect of all the 2009 newcomers.
From what we have seen to date, Rich looks like becoming a great midfielder; Hurley possibly a great versatile medium tall.
The latter type of player is much rarer and harder to find, which makes the talented Essendon youngster the current gem of those unearthed this season.
Leigh Matthews.(afl.com.au)
UNLESS a major shock is in store, the NAB AFL Rising Star will today be officially awarded to Brisbane Lion Daniel Rich. It would surprise if he did not get top votes from every judge.
Rich has joined Cyril Rioli (2008) and Joel Selwood (2007) as players whose debut years have been so outstanding they have become integral and irreplaceable parts of their teams after only a handful of games.
The fact that Rich was draft choice No.7, Rioli 12 and Selwood 7 is further proof that rating teenagers as senior prospects is very hit and miss, and that selections are made according to varying degrees of short, medium and long-term needs.
First-year draftees that become very good straight away are invariably small and medium-sized players. High-performing teenage talls is almost a contradiction in terms.
When clubs draft height, a short-term benefit is rarely expected – it is a pick for the longer-term future.
The other fact is that a player can be a man at 18 or a boy well into his 20s. They are all different and will develop at varying speeds. Jonathan Brown was a man at 18 but he is the exception, not the rule. Very few young talls have the physical maturity to match it with their older and stronger opponents.
Which is why the brilliant early form of young Bomber Michael Hurley is quite amazing.
No first-year player of any size or shape should ever have his papers stamped because all we get initially are glimpses of what the mature, experienced product might become.
Yet whenever I look at a young player I am either impressed, pessimistic or it is simply too early to tell.
Take 2008 No. 1 pick Jack Watts. Although he is 196cm tall, he is still a boy against the men. At the beginning of the season he was only 83kg, light as a cork against the bigger bodies and he was never going to give Melbourne an early return on their investment. Watts was always a selection for the future not the present.
Last year's No.2 pick Nic Naitanui was by comparison 96kg. While still on learner plates in footy smarts, he had the size to cope well with the physical requirements of senior footy and the bouncy athleticism to make him an exciting and very watchable prospect.
At pick No.5, Hurley was 193cm but already a strong 91kg. Not fully mature but much more than a skinny kid.
During the last few of the nine games he has played to this point, Hurley has done a few things that proven champs such as Nick Riewoldt, Adam Goodes or Matthew Scarlett would be proud of.
In the frantic last quarter of Essendon's narrow round 20 win over the previously unbeaten St Kilda, a long high ball lobbed into the Saints' forward 50.
Matched on Riewoldt at the time, the Essendon youngster established strong body contact, had the strength and balance to prevent the Saints captain from getting at the footy and took the final step back to mark the ball himself. This piece of play was a fantastic example of composure under extreme pressure: confidence and skill which only the best power defenders could match.
Then in last week's finals position-decider against Hawthorn, again in a stirring final quarter with the game in the balance, Hurley won possession a little outside his team's attacking 50. With no better option available he turned inboard onto his non-dominant side, calmly spun the footy in his hands to get it lace out and slotted the long-range left-foot goal.
Inexperienced teenagers, particularly those 190cm-plus, just do not normally have the wherewithal to do such things. When one does it creates a raise the eyebrows moment of "how good is this kid?".
Rich has helped lift the Lions into the finals, has played every game and quickly become an elite ball-getter with a devastating ability to pass the ball accurately, low and flat anything up to 60 metres.
When he has the footy, the Lions are at their most dangerous and he is clearly the best performed of last year's draftees. He is built like a man and plays like one.
Yet in only half a season Hurley has produced such high quality glimpses that in my view, he is the most outstanding prospect of all the 2009 newcomers.
From what we have seen to date, Rich looks like becoming a great midfielder; Hurley possibly a great versatile medium tall.
The latter type of player is much rarer and harder to find, which makes the talented Essendon youngster the current gem of those unearthed this season.
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Mrs Mercuri
- Champion of Essendon
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Re: How Good is Hurley?
As good as Rich has been for the Lions i dont think he is a walk up winner of the rising star award. He plays a fairly easy position in the midfield while our two boys, Pears and Hurley, have played the tougher positions of full back and CHB/CHF... surely that counts for something. Pears has beaten players such as Brown, Bradshaw, Fev, Roughead and Kosi whie not only has Hurley been kicking goals for us but saving them against Tredrea and Reevolting...
that seems more impressive to me than a midfielder getting easy possessions in the middle.
that seems more impressive to me than a midfielder getting easy possessions in the middle.
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Crazyman
- Champion of Essendon
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- Contact:
Re: How Good is Hurley?
Sorry Mrs Mercs, but the NAB AFL Rising Midfielder Award will definately not go to Pears or Hurley...
That said, I am glad we have both of them and look forward to our future
That said, I am glad we have both of them and look forward to our future
Re: How Good is Hurley?
Get what you are saying but watch the way blokes like Selwood, Rioli and Rich go about their footy and saying they get easy possessions in the middle is like saying Jobe Watson gets cheap touches in the middle too.Mrs Mercuri wrote: that seems more impressive to me than a midfielder getting easy possessions in the middle.
Re: How Good is Hurley?
Wow, that is some endorsement by Matthews. But I didn't need convincing.... 
Essendunny