Michael Hurley to be offered long-term deal by Essendon when he returns from holiday
ESSENDON will officially offer Michael Hurley a five-year contract extension when he returns from holiday in five weeks.
The Bombers have ramped up their determination to secure Hurley long-term and the contract extension is on top of the year remaining on his existing deal.
If he agrees to stay, Hurley would sign until the end of 2022.
The estimated offer will be between $700,000 and $800,000 a season with an allowance for salary cap rises over the length of the contract.
If Hurley decided to leave Essendon, rival clubs would likely offer him a similar deal.
Sources close to Hurley says it’s not a financial decision, but simply a decision about whether he wants to again play at Essendon.
It’s understood the Bombers have verbally tabled the offer with Hurley’s manager Paul Connors and Hurley is aware of the latest development.
The Bombers confirmed the long-term extension on Wednesday night.
“We want him to come to the conclusion he wants to be at Essendon and I hope and believe he will come to that conclusion,’’ Bombers chief executive Xavier Campbell said.
“We respect that Michael is going through a process and we will give him the time and space he needs to make that decision.
“He has a year to run on his contract and we have been speaking to Michael and his management for some time about a long-term contract extension which we believe illustrates the value he brings to our club.”
Hurley is currently on holidays overseas, and believed to be with teammate Michael Hibberd.
The 26-year-old All-Australian defender will also catch up with several other suspended Bombers in Europe in coming weeks, with the Bombers buoyed by the fact Hurley is travelling with Bombers teammates.
It’s understood midfielder Ben Howlett, another banned Bomber, will return for the 2017 season.
Defender Tayte Pears, however, has been accepted by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and is awaiting the starting date for his intake, so his AFL career would appear to be over.
Skipper Jobe Watson remains in New York but it’s understood he will catch up with his teammates in Europe.