Player Watch #18: Michael Hurley

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marcmurphy#3

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I've been watching Hurley quite closely for a while now, and having seen a few more replays on fox footy lately, it seems to me that when he leads to the ball he runs under it time and time again. This has probably been raised on these boards before, but I was wondering whether Essendon supporters had noticed the same thing. Is it as result of poor delivery? Misjudging the flight of the ball? He has a ferocious attack on the ball, but is it his style of hitting the ball at full tilt which is causing him to spill marks?
 

Zach Package

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yep, thats my take on it as well.
He gets in commanding spots and burns opponents and then just gets poor delivery for the most part.
If you go back to the freo and bulldogs games, he was getting in those great positions AND getting good delivery, and was kicking bags because of it.
 

Jade

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I've been watching Hurley quite closely for a while now, and having seen a few more replays on fox footy lately, it seems to me that when he leads to the ball he runs under it time and time again. This has probably been raised on these boards before, but I was wondering whether Essendon supporters had noticed the same thing. Is it as result of poor delivery? Misjudging the flight of the ball? He has a ferocious attack on the ball, but is it his style of hitting the ball at full tilt which is causing him to spill marks?
Bit of both to be honest; delivery has not been excellent, but he has had a tendency to basically overrun the ball in flight. Hopefully the coaches have picked up on it as well, because it is easy to correct and with the force at which he hits the ball (he's an animal), he'll be bloody hard to stop.
 
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Bit of both to be honest; delivery has not been excellent, but he has had a tendency to basically overrun the ball in flight. Hopefully the coaches have picked up on it as well, because it is easy to correct and with the force at which he hits the ball (he's an animal), he'll be bloody hard to stop.
I agree.
The delivery hasn't been great but it happened to much for that to be the only reason.
 

astrowizzle

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In that video he looks absolutely spot on the right weight for his frame at this age. Still big enough to crash people but not carrying excess weight to slow him down and cause niggling injuries. Will be very interested to see if he does play a bit forward this year coz he already made plenty of space when not fit should create a paddock when fully up and going. Also noted that Hocking looks to have slimmed down a bit too which is good
 

vast

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What is it about this guy that turns us in richmond supporters? Ive got sucked in by the hype on this guy and that not saying he isn't any good just I think he has an extremely long way to go (if he even gets there) before he reaches that superstar status that many seem to think is inevitable and just around the corner.

Any hope Im wrong and he dominates this year, I just think he is being overhyped.
 

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matty lloyd the champ

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Keystone agony

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ah yep get Browne and Hibberd mixed up a bit. Seems the green vest are more the lock best 22 types and i think they are just really liking Goddard working with the younger brigade.
 

fishardansin

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Does dropping 5kgs and trip to Colorado mean that he'll be playing more of a roaming role off half forward a little like ........Jame Hird did?
 

Chambo

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Don't think that Hurley reads the play as well forward as back.

He needs to be more prudent in his attack on the ball - Only go to contests that he can impact.
That's why he should play back...he has that aggressiveness and hunger for the contest that will make him very difficult to beat!
 
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