is this our man?

[true blue19]

Draft countdown: Michael Hurley

By Chelsea Roffey 8:00 AM Sat 08 November, 2008

Victorian Michael Hurley is a key prospect in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft



Michael Hurley

DOB: 01/06/90
Height: 192cm
Weight: 92kg
Club: Northern Knights

A tall defender who is an excellent kick with both feet, Hurley is renowned for his strong attack on the ball, and he is good in a contested situation, with his spoiling a strength. An AIS/AFL Academy graduate and Vic Metro under18 representative. He won All-Australian under-18 honours in 2007 and 2008. From Macleod FC.



What sort of player are you?
A key defender.

Strengths?
I'd like to think I'm a tough, competitive, skilful player.

Weaknesses?
Probably my speed and agility are the two things I need to work on, definitely.

AFL team supported?
I'm a big St Kilda fan.

Which AFL player do you feel you most resemble?
Matt Maguire.


Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network

 

[Silvagnis]

I hope not.

Based on my rough estimate, Hurley would look terrible in a Carlton jumper.

 

[Cruiser23]

No idea........but he is HBFs man, that i know.

 

[Banga19]

I honestly believe he is

 

[celtic_pride]

No idea........but he is HBFs man, that i know.

I thought Gilly was

BTW Yes I suspect Hurley will be a Blue Bagger next year

 

[HBF]

God I hope so.
He'd look that good in a Carlton jumper, and he'd be the ideal player for our list right now. If he's still there at #6, I hope WH calls his name out on draft day.

 

[Banga19]

Not sold on those boots....

 

[Banga19]

For those who have seen him play a fair bit live, how are his hands?

Playing in the backline, he wouldn't take many big marks, he would mainly be spoiling, (which he is very good at) what about when he has moved up forward? Is he a big pack mark kind of guy?

 

[Willow_2000]

I hope not.

Based on my rough estimate, Hurley would look terrible in a Carlton jumper.

Can that be possible? I keep hearing that every1 looks good in the navy blue lol

I dont think you guys will take him as there will be better players around at pick 6.

Not to sure how he is going to go at AFL level on key forwards as he is fair slow, Buddy would leave him for dead.
Sorry HBF but i dont rate him

 

[Silvagnis]

Buddy leaves everyone for dead...

 

[The Cranium]

No idea........but he is HBFs man, that i know.

Wasn't aware HBF had changed teams....not that there is anything wrong with that.

 

[Salaryman]

1) His profile doesn't read a) MUST be drafted to play on Buddy

2) He actually ran a faster DC 20m time than Buddy

 

[branedotorg]

looks a bit like this?

 

[Barry Zuckercorn]

I hope so...

 

[XXX KINGS]

This is our man, can rollerskate his way out of an aquatic dungeon.

When this guy puts on his wizard hat look out, pair him up with Eddie Betts and it will be a freak show.

 

[Salaryman]

But he won't kill a bloke to get the ball

 

[XXX KINGS]

But he won't kill a bloke to get the ball

He doesn't have to if he's got it on a string.

 

[Salaryman]

Yeah, but I had more fun watching H steamroll a bloke then pick up the spilt ball than watching Y's riverdance feet.

 

[XXX KINGS]

Saying that I think forward line weakness in general is worse than our need for key position players. I think we need to add any class we can to the forward line and a guy who can kick as many goals as this guy should not be ignored.

 

[Cruiser23]

I'd hope Wayne Hughes jumps at the opportunity to take Hurley at pick 6, as long as Ziebell is off the table.

 

[Silvagnis]

Hurley or Trengove please.

We are one A grade tall away from building the spine that will form our next premiership goal to goal line.

We have the chance to get a hard nut and skilled general in Hurley.

Or an athletic KPP with similar athletic talents to Ryder, but more tickets playing as a defender on resting rucks like Kreuzer.

I'd grab the tall early and plan on picking the best available mid or medium forward at 40.

Recent drafts are littered with talented medium forwards with pace and skill around pick 40.

There's always next year to get another good midfielder or HFF with another top ten pick.

But we are no chance to get Butcher or the next best tall forward if we make the eight with our favourable draw.

Hurley or Trengove is a no brainer.

This article might end up an educated guess when Hawthorn picked talls early...

Blues to follow Hawthorn's premiership plan

 

[windows]

No thanks (ducks head). I should preface this by saying that I am finding it impossible to separate (on pure ability, rather than 'need') Yarran, Trengove and Hurley.

Terrific player granted. Yes he is tough and a great kick. But the thing for me is this: I don't like players being pumped up for the aspects of their game that are not central to their role. When you are a defender, the MOST important thing is the ability to STOP opponents. I know he has done a great job of that in juniors, but I cannot see him doing it to the 6 foot 5 athletic monsters in the AFL. I don't care about his DC times or how he compares with Franklin etc. He is simply not very mobile. PERIOD. So J Brown types (who is quicker than he looks and has great endurance), Riewoldt, Pav, Richo types, Franklin etc. They are all going to be beyond him IMO. The fact he is hard at the ball won't matter when Buddy is 5 metres in front of him. That he is a great kick will be nothing more than 'interesting' if we can't find a guy to shut down Pavlich. If we are relegating him to third tall status then we are overdoing that position to the extreme. We already have about 3 guys who are naturally suited to that one role.

Just don't want yet another 6 foot 4 defender. Hurley vs. Thornton. Leaves us with too many of them. Trengove would give us something different. Would provide real options and flexibility down back. Yarran would provide us real potency up forward. Yarran vs. Wiggins is a far bigger improvement than Hurley vs. Thornton IMO (cue the Thornton haters around here).

And for mine Ziebell is the best out and out player of those with any chance of getting to us (although how Ziebell would be allowed to slip to 6 is beyond me). Ziebell would give us something different. A Voss type HFF who can switch onto the ball for impact. We don't have that.

 

[jackoisno1]

What about Lewis Johnston?


South Australian Lewis Johnston is a key prospect in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft


Lewis Johnston

DOB: 3/3/91
Height: 192cm
Weight: 87kg
Club: North Adelaide, SA

A tall forward who is quick on the lead, has strong hands and is solid in a contested situation. Johnston won All-Australian under-18 selection after providing an excellent target up forward for SA in the championships. An AIS/AFL Academy graduate. From Port Bulldogs FC.

Watch highlights of Lewis Johnston in action

What type of player are you?
I’m a centre half-forward who can play a lead-up role and also kick a few goals.

Strengths?
My marking and kicking are definitely my strengths. My speed isn’t too bad either – I'm pretty fast.

Weaknesses?
My weakness is my defensive side. I need to chase better and do a few more one-percenters.

Which AFL club do you support?
I’ve always supported Collingwood.

Which AFL player do you most resemble?
The clubs haven’t compared me with anyone, they’ve more just asked me who I compare myself to. I try to play like a Nick Riewoldt or Travis Cloke-type role.

 

[Loramarthalas]

Just don't want yet another 6 foot 4 defender. Hurley vs. Thornton. Leaves us with too many of them. Trengove would give us something different. Would provide real options and flexibility down back. Yarran would provide us real potency up forward. Yarran vs. Wiggins is a far bigger improvement than Hurley vs. Thornton IMO (cue the Thornton haters around here).

And for mine Ziebell is the best out and out player of those with any chance of getting to us (although how Ziebell would be allowed to slip to 6 is beyond me). Ziebell would give us something different. A Voss type HFF who can switch onto the ball for impact. We don't have that.

I tend to agree with this.

If Ziebell is still around, which I think he will be, at pick 6, then the recruiters will have a tough choice between him and Hurley. I'm still leaning towards Hurely, if only for his potential, but getting Ziebell wouldnt be a disaster at all. In fact, I'm glad I'm not making the decision. I think Ziebell might be better for our structure around HFF. But having said that, I think Hurley is just a genuine star in waiting.

 

[out of harmes' way]

Too slow !!!!!!