News

Hurley and Zaharakis join leadership group

Thursday, 22 December 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon Football Club today confirmed the leadership group that will support captain Jobe Watson during the 2012 season.

Michael Hurley and David Zaharakis become the newest additions to the group which also includes Watson, Mark McVeigh, Brent Stanton and Heath Hocking.

Senior coach James Hird said the inclusion of emerging players Hurley and Zaharakis would add a new dimension to the leadership group next season.

“The new look leadership group has a great mix of both experience and youth and we think it will have a positive effect on the playing list,” Hird said.

“It is particularly encouraging to see two of our younger players voted in to the leadership group by their peers.

“Michael and David’s elevation into the leadership group is a reflection of the hard work and commitment they show both on and off the field.”

Hurley, 21, made his debut in Round 1, 2009 and has played 47 games and kicked 49 goals for the Bombers after being drafted via selection 5 in the 2008 AFL Draft. Hurley received NAB AFL Rising Star nominations in 2009 and 2010.

Zaharakis, 21, who was selected with pick 23 in the 2008 AFL Draft has played 53 games and kicked 57 goals since making his AFL debut in Round 2, 2009. Zaharakis received a NAB Rising Star nomination in 2009 and won the club's best and fairest in 2011.

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PLAYER PROFILE: Michael Hurley
PLAYER PROFILE: David Zaharakis

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Well deserved, both have proven their worth since coming to the club. Typical Fletch stepping aside for others, and lets not forget the services of woosha Welsh. Exciting times ahead with a young leadership group showing the way (and Spike!!!)

- Terry Collins (posted 22/12/2011 5:24:12 AM)

Well done guys good to see the future of our club being rewarded

- Evan Wilson (posted 22/12/2011 6:36:26 AM)

Congratulations lads, certainly well deserved. Here's hoping you stay injury free next season and can help lead us onwards and upwards!

- Duncan Eastey (posted 22/12/2011 8:20:12 AM)

well done boys. Can see u both being awesome leaders. Go bombers 2012!

- Rolf Buchner (posted 22/12/2011 8:21:26 AM)

Get behind these fellas. GO YOU MIGHTY BOMBERS!

- Bill Murray (posted 22/12/2011 8:41:42 AM)

Well done Zaka/Hurls. possibly Future Captains.

- Michael Hanna (posted 22/12/2011 8:59:49 AM)

congrats lads and merry xmas to all!!

- Doel 'bludga' Shields (posted 22/12/2011 9:59:02 AM)

Surely this means Hurlz will resist the load of cash thats going to/been offered to stay at a club his respected at..and now a leader! With premiership hopes in the near future! Great leadership group boys

- John Blore (posted 22/12/2011 10:08:01 AM)

Congratulations guys, your likability is obvious. hard work rewarded. What a fantastic mix of players in our leadership group, many areas represented here. May you all have a successful 2012. Happy Xmas, Merry New Year to you & your families.

- Gail Taylor (posted 22/12/2011 10:11:38 AM)

Very good choice with Michael & David, along with Brent & Heath will be a great help & asset to Jobe.

- Mark McLachlan (posted 22/12/2011 10:56:10 AM)

Great inclusions to the leadership, has been a year of improvement just like Hird wanted. Merry Christmas & Happy Bomber New Year to the Club and Supporters.

- Doris Flanagan (posted 22/12/2011 10:59:55 AM)

What kind of award could be created that can honour a player who started playing before my daughter (about to start university) was born, has possibly mentored more players than anyone at the club and steps aside to allow new leaders to aspire and inspire. Fletcher is ALWAYS aa part of this club's leadership group. Well done to the others, and let's hope it is the start of Hurley being a one club leader.

- Wesley Hull (posted 22/12/2011 11:10:46 AM)

FANTASTIC FOR ESSENDON FC AND FOR BOTH OF THESE FINE UPCOMING STARS. I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE PADDY RYDER INCLUDED?

- Melville Speers (posted 22/12/2011 11:32:22 AM)

Well I must say we have an awesome bunch of leaders! These guys are the heart and soul of the footy club, each of them established or potential stars, and all of them possible premiership players...

- Dennis Green (posted 22/12/2011 12:22:32 PM)

...... The Changing of The Guard ......

- Victor Tallis (posted 22/12/2011 1:08:49 PM)

My partner Tracey said my 2000 premiership tshirt was looking faded and stretched and I need a new one (and she is a Tigers fan) so come on EFC, bring home a flag and I can get a new premiership tshirt. Go Bombers. Mikey.

- Michael Parker (posted 22/12/2011 1:11:57 PM)

Congrats boys! But we need to sign up Hurley!

- Jordan Ancrum (posted 22/12/2011 1:23:51 PM)

Great additions to the leadership group. Hope this vote of confidence from his peers will have Hurley sign up with the Bombers in the future and turn his back on GWS should they throw money at him.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 22/12/2011 1:38:00 PM)

good new yous will lead us 2 our 17 flag

- MARK JONES (posted 22/12/2011 1:55:04 PM)

Wes, Fletch IS the leader of the club mate. he is an icon and what the club stands for. unlike some, he always puts the club first.

- Mark McLachlan (posted 22/12/2011 2:05:41 PM)

Being recognised as leaders will help these blokes get the best out of themselves, so the more leaders we have the better.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 22/12/2011 2:20:47 PM)

hopefully that is a sign that hurley is going nowhere in a hurry congrats to both zaka and hurlz well deserved

- Ian Welsh (posted 22/12/2011 3:10:34 PM)

Fletcher, The Magnificent - will always be a leader..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .

- Victor Tallis (posted 22/12/2011 3:17:06 PM)

Well done hurls and zaka as they are going to be quality footballers,happy to see hurls bulk up as he could be a bit of Jonathan brown. Next year would like to see heppell replace mcveigh and it's all good. I hope gumby and longy get a FAIR crack at it next year to see what they have got.

- Chris Steffen (posted 22/12/2011 3:53:14 PM)

I think this is just a ploy to try and convince Hurls to stay at EFC and not go to GWS. I hope it works because the kid is a superstar!

- Hector Vasconcelo (posted 22/12/2011 4:44:32 PM)

Congratulations Hurls and Zaka, the leadership group looks like its starting to have the taste of 'x' factor about it. Onya Fletch for stepping aside for these young blokes, it shows the real team spirit you have pumping through your veins. Thanks Woosha for steering all of our young guns in the right direction and putting a smile on their faces to help them feel at home.

- Adrian Reynolds (posted 22/12/2011 5:25:46 PM)

Whens Hurley going to commit long term to the club west Sydney are all over him right now get it done bombers this kid is our best player and future star of the game

- steve finch (posted 22/12/2011 6:43:53 PM)

Great choices, great club, onwards to the future.

- Peter Podgornik (posted 22/12/2011 7:18:24 PM)

Now sign Hurls up for another 5 years and I'll go into 2012 without a worry in the world!

- Andrew Charlton (posted 22/12/2011 9:06:30 PM)

great inclusions to the group,plenty of depth there now.Is mark in the best condition he has been in for a few seasons,& has hurl/s built up his upper body. BEST WISHES TO ALL FOR XMAS & NEW YEAR

- jim young (posted 22/12/2011 10:09:59 PM)

congratulations hurley and zacha :)

- Elinor Jack (posted 23/12/2011 12:22:02 AM)

Mark Macca,careful champ,your obvious omission will not please Diane. :-).

- Bill Carbis (posted 23/12/2011 9:41:30 AM)

This is great news, Congrats Zaha's, & Hurl's, your dedication, & commitment has paid off. We would like to see more follow your example. We have a powerfull leadership group to lift the Mighty Bombers this year. It should be a Goal for all Squad members to get into the leadership group, how would that be?

- Graeme Coad (posted 23/12/2011 5:16:56 PM)

Congrats Hurls & Zaka,well done Fletch as you are always about what's best for the team & club.Woosha Welsh has the same attitude also which must set a great example for the young players & new recruits.Jobe you're a chip off the old block & will keep getting better. The whole group looks cherry ripe.Go Bombers!!!!

- John Patrick Byrne (posted 23/12/2011 9:22:50 PM)

Great news, congrats boys, and bring on 2012 - cant wait.

- Nick Tomaras (posted 24/12/2011 2:51:36 PM)