Would Michael Hurley Get A Game In Our 22?

[Gone Critical]

Would love him at Collingwood and easily top 22

If he was in our system believe he would be ahead of Dawes as he is more talented. Love his aggresive approach also. He can play both ends of the ground. He tore Hawthorn apart as a first year player in round 22 2009 in a way Dawes has yet to achieve

Love Dawes also and he would no doubt be starting 18 at Essendon

 

[Slattery_20]

Dawes' get a gig forward for us & Hurley'd get a gig back for you.
He ain't great yet, but he's good - and at both ends. Any coach would love a player like that who can do either with effect, even in the same game.
EDIT - if he was at Collingwood he probably wouldn't have to play through the hand injuries he's got at the moment. Has had an affect on his marking.

 

[smiddaz123]

Of course he would.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I love Hurley as a player, but he'd be fighting for a spot in the back, not front.

Seems not many (including Pies fans) see what Dawes does off the ball to create a lot of goals.

 

[HeavyPop]

Yeah, I would play him. Not too sure who he would replace at this stage however.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

He'd play KPD, and Tarrant would take a small/mid-sized player. Heath Shaw would move full time to the wing. Easy to slot him in.

 

[StillWaiting5689]

Would get games in our side and in a couple of seasons would become our #1 forward. Would probably have started his career even stronger had he been in a better side like Dawes has been.
Has also had to deal with being the main target inside 50 since his second season unlike Collingwood who had Rocca playing for the first few seasons of Clokes career and Anthony was getting the #1 defender when he played as well.

 

[drummoyne]

Of course he would.

Kid is a gun.

 

[rose jam]

Only if you wanted to replace Tarrant for a younger model, else no spot

 

[Sasuke]

THe versatility of our backline and team makes me think yes. First up, would he be able to play a bit of ruck? if yes, then he would be in front of Leigh brown in a second.

I could also see him playing KBD for us. He would have a strong body than Reid for mine who like tarrant could play both big n tall in the future in my opinion.

Also, he might just be a player we have on our bench or someone we use as a sub. He would be a good player to have if our defense is struggling or forwards having no impact.

 

[shawthing09]

I'm interested to know what you are basing this on? I think they are equally as talented. Both have a great set shot, both are fantastic at bringing the ball to ground and both can take a grab. If you are basing it on where they went in the draft then you would have to take into account Dawes went later due to the troubles with his knees.

I also think Dawes works much harder and runs harder and is better at ground level.

In regards to the OP, would love him over L. Brown at the minute. Jolly to ruck in the middle and back and Hurley is capable of contesting in the ruck up forward.

Much different types of players but Hurley has the ability to be an aerial beast Dawes is brr fitness wise and below his knees but I'd take Hurley's ability in the air for a kpf any day especially as his tank will improve. Also it's a common myth Dawes slipped due to his knee injury, he was always considered to go around where we took him

 

[soreplums]

L Brown gets the nod ahead of him because he can ruck.
N. Brown gets the nod ahead of him because he has held big name forwards.
If Dawes loses form then he could fight for his spot.
Tarrant has the runs on the board down back.

Basically he wouldn't be a starter based on team balance. If we had 4 on the pine PLUS a sub- then he is more likely a chance.

 

[lgarth80]

Sorry Shawthing, no doubt Dawes knee dropped him down the list. Maybe only 5 or so but we certainly got him cheaper with the obvious risk attached.

In terms of Hurley, I think he's more skilful than Dawes/Cloke, but currently has nowhere near the presence.

That's the key really between Hurley being another good player and becoming a great.

So, for mine, no for Hurley in the Pies best 22. But if and when he develops that beastly presence where defenders start to take short steps around him as he bulldozes out of the square, then I'd take him. That's the choice Hurley needs to make, and it's going to take 18 months in the gym, and lots more simulated match play (and game time in a developing Bomber outfit) to get there.

Down back, I'm honestly really happy with Reid and Tarrant. Reid is very underrated in not just his ability to take relieving marks, but his ability to beat defensive floods through long accurate kicking.

Hurley could do similar, but his kicking tends to be more closely aligned with the Travis Cloke mule kick that can go 60 but a bit erratic, rather than the Reid 4 iron.

As for Tarrant, he's been-there-done-that with where Hurley is at the moment, so carries that lovely mix of experience and talent.

 

[MarkT2]

Hurley would get a game and in a few years would be a gun. He was ordinary on ANZAC Day but he can play. I'd replace L Brown with Hurley in a heartbeat. Cloke can ruck for the small amount of time required. Brown is a very ordinary centre bounce ruckman. He isn't bad when he can use his body but he still gives away too may free kicks around the ground at crucial times when he is up against quality.

Dawes would walk into Essendon's side.

 

[Bay Pie]

Not a big fan of threads like these. Smacks of arrogance.

I recall Geelong fans creating a similar one about Dane Swan in 2008/2009.

Hurley will be a very good player.

 

[Kirby]

Hurley would definately get a game for us somewhere, probably down back. Will be a gun player.

Dawes would also easily get a game at the Bombers up forward.

 

[underbelly]

Hurls would definately get a gig for us, however, it would be in the backline at this point in time. Personally I think there is more upside to Hurley than Dawes, however, I don't think we have seen the best of either yet

 

[The Get Up Kid]

Not a big fan of threads like these. Smacks of arrogance.

I recall Geelong fans creating a similar one about Dane Swan in 2008/2009.

Hurley will be a very good player.

Agreed.

I hated when Geelong kept saying stuff like that and even the commentators did. He's at Essendon and most likely always will and he'll get a game every week. When he wins them an ANZAC day in the future come back to this thread then.

 

[stui magpie]

Dawes would get a game in the Dons team in a heart beat. Granted he's no Jay Neagle but he might just be able to contribute.

Hurley doesn't have a natural position in our team but with the number of rotations he would fit into the 22 as either a 3rd tall in the MacCaffer role or a spare medium back, even up on a wing at a pinch. He's a good kid with a lot of ability, he'd be in the group of 20 looking for a spot in our last 10 and as a flexible tall would be ahead of most.