Player Watch #18: Michael Hurley

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I have a different interpretation of talented - People tell me that Cupido was gifted/talented - I dont think he was that talented - talented players produce consistent performances week after week - and have a limited difference between their best and worst performances. So what Hurley must do is improve his consistencty ( only a little ) and be more selective in how he uses his energy.

Cupido was a very talented player. I use to watch him play on the GC when he was running with the Lions reserves side. The way he moved around and used the ball was miles ahead of the average non-afl player. They couldn't touch him. But his problem- like many 'gifted' players before and after him- was that he lacked mental toughness at AFL level. There's a fine line.

Hurley has enormous mental toughness. The ability to concentrate and focus his attack on the ball over and over again is his biggest strength. Sure he drops marks sometimes and gets into the wrong position, but he's so young and still has so much improvement to come. He's not at the Dunstall/Carey/Lockett consistent level atm, but no one is expecting him to be that.

You don't have to be the most talented player around to be consistently good every week. Just look at Shane Tuck's season...
 

EVERLAST

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He could be much fitter.
Bordering on out of shape due to his constant injuries in his hamstrings and hotspots in his feet.
He'll never be 100% match fit and Im positive the club will have to manage his injuries throughout his entire career to keep him on the park.
Hence why it's important we retain Gumby.
 
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He could be much fitter.
Bordering on out of shape due to his constant injuries in his hamstrings and hotspots in his feet.
He'll never be 100% match fit and Im positive the club will have to manage his injuries throughout his entire career to keep him on the park.
Hence why it's important we retain Gumby.
Dunno bout that...but I agree it's very important we keep Gumbles.
 

m7jebus

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I have a different interpretation of talented - People tell me that Cupido was gifted/talented - I dont think he was that talented - talented players produce consistent performances week after week - and have a limited difference between their best and worst performances. So what Hurley must do is improve his consistencty ( only a little ) and be more selective in how he uses his energy.
Talent is talent, consistency is consistency. Some players have one but not the other, the stars often have both.

I went to the same school as Cupido, and I still rate him as one of the most talented players I've ever seen - just an absolute natural. He was so much better than everyone around him at junior level it was laughable. The problem was, he knew that better than anyone, and that's probably why he never learned much about preparation, fitness, workrate... and basically he was always a bit of a dick who didn't have a whole lot of respect for his peers.

Back to Hurley though. I kind of understand why people think he's overhyped - in an era that's obsessed with stats, his don't look all that flash. He's definitely a guy who's impact can only be properly judged by watching him play, looking at the difference he makes even when he doesn't have a great game himself. I just want to see him fit and settled in a team that's not falling apart week by week... I think the results would be pleasing.
 

Schopp

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Interesting to see how the wrist reco went that he was supposed to have had. The thing holding him back big time from justifying the hype is his hands.
 
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can we change the thread title please?

It's insulting to even suggest Hurley is "all" hype. It's rubbish. There is some hype attached but anyone who doesn't think he has genuine talent, desire, physicality, skill and everything else needed to be an A Grade footballer can go eat a bowl of dicks...
 

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Zach Package

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Interesting to see how the wrist reco went that he was supposed to have had. The thing holding him back big time from justifying the hype is his hands.
A guy i used to play soccer with (goalie) was having massive trouble with his wrist, couldn't flex it at all and had swelling and pain after every game.
Had a bit of a clean up (bone chips iirc) and a full reco, completely fixed it, and actually made it structurally stronger (he previously had broken it).

Hoping for the same for hurls
 
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can we change the thread title please?

It's insulting to even suggest Hurley is "all" hype. It's rubbish. There is some hype attached but anyone who doesn't think he has genuine talent, desire, physicality, skill and everything else needed to be an A Grade footballer can go eat a bowl of dicks...
Best title change ever.
 

daz17

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Adds fuel to the debate.
Don't mind if mods want to make a thread with a poll in it; just posted here as it is most relevant.

IMO Forward.
 

Summer Nights

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Best thing is the second video has that mark against Tredrea. Damn he is a rarity, our Hurley. Video shows some clean marks with his hands, too. Hopefully his surgery removes the niggles that caused him to drop a few. With healthy hands, he's a great mark. 5 per game with dodgy wrists is promising. Can't wait for 2013.
 
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