Deck of Dream Team 2010: Michael Hurley
Name: Michael Hurley
Club: Essendon
Position: Defender (maybe also a forward)
2009 Average/Games: 69.1 / 9
Predicted 2010 Average: 80
Deck of DT Rating: 8 of clubs.
Why should I pick him?
A heap of faith was shown in Essendon’s first round draft pick from last year as he debuted in Round 1. Unfortunately in that game, he injured his quad… in his comeback from that injury he busted his wrist at training. Doh! Anyway, he finally made his long awaited return and played out the last 8 games of the home and away season, as well as the first final. His Round 22 game was his DT highlight of 2009 when he ammassed an awesome 106 points (backing up his 96 point game in round twenty). So he has potential. He will definitely improve on his average, therefore improving his price and being good value. He will be cemented in the Bombers best 22 and will be given every opportunity to make up for his taxi-driver-bashing incident after the end of the 2009 season. Hurley played the last few weeks as a forward and kick 3 and 4 goals in the last two games respectively. He will most likely play as a forward with the departure of Lloyd and Lucas (and Fletcher staying on in the backline). Maybe Hurley is the new McPhee? Hopefully McPhee when he is a DT slut.
Why shouldn’t I pick him?
The main reason will be Hurley’s consistancy and the fact that he is the dreaded ”tall-key-position” player. He had a couple of low scores in his debut year, which is to be expected, but it usually takes a while for these 190cm+ blokes to develop as a consistant performer. Also, the fact that he may be that “utility” player having to play back and forward and not growing into that role as quickly as we would hope. His injuries were a slight concern, but with a full pre-season, that should be ok. Oh and keeping his cool around cab drivers would be some advice I would give him.
Final thoughts.
Hurley at a touch over $300K is a 50/50 pick for me at the moment. There is definite upside, but there might be blokes who are cheaper that could serve the same purpose without the same ‘position’ risk that Hurley has in front of him.
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Pass for me
He’s on the radar but not if he is used as full forward, getting the best defender each week. I’d like to see him play CHF and move up the ground in a Travis Cloke type role (do it a lot better than that fag Cloke though) where he makes it up to the wing, seems to have a good enough engine. Hopefully that shit box they call Jay Neagle can step up and cement that FF role and free up Hurley to slut up the DTs.
I was kind of hopeing you guys wouldn’t bring him up in the 52, as I know his brother, and he has told me that he is going to be a quality player therefore i was thinking he might slip under the radar a little. However I wrong I was to doubt the DT crew.
Even at 300K I think he is a quality option for the mid priced backman, unless he plays forward, which is likely due to the Lucas and Lloyd moving on.
Loving the work so far being put into this deck of DT, with some indepth information. It’s made me reconsider my opinions on a couple of these players, keep up the good work.
I like the look of Hurley but his price next year may be a bit high for me, compared to players like Ziebell who will be cheaper and will hopefully average more. Then again he will most likely be listed as a back and finding descent backmen is a very hard job in DT, so he defiantly offers some value as a defender. Still i dont think he will be in my squad for next year.
Not here.
I think a pass he will be too inconsistent. If he gets switched between BACK/FWD he won’t be able to settle in just yet. I am would really love you blokes to include clinton young in your deck!
are you going have a mitch clarke deck of dream team?
Hurley re-injured his wrist?
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/88643/default.aspx