If starring in Sunday's historic win against St Kilda wasn't enough, 19-year-old Michael Hurley was today named the Round 20 NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.
""It's a good feeling to be nominated. After seeing Dave Zaharakis (Rd 2) and Tayte Pears (Rd 13)nominated earlier this season it became, not so much a goal, but something that I thought would be nice if it happened,"" he said.
""Sunday's game is the highlight of my short career so far. To play against the side I supported as a kid, to win such a close game and to play against Nick Riewoldt, one of my heroes growing up, it had it all.
""I think it was probably my best game because I was more consistent whereas earlier in the year I was good in patches but went quiet. Sunday's game was up there with the Bulldogs game as my best.
""I feel more confident playing now and, at either end of the ground, I have great players next to me. Down back I have Lanky (Dustin Fletcher) which is amazing and Tayte has been playing so well so it has allowed me to play my natural game more.""
The 193cm, 91kg key position prospect played a key role at both ends of the ground in the shock win over the previously unbeaten St Kilda. He began the game in the Essendon forward line, booting a goal, before an injury to Fletcher forced him into defence.
""The first and second quarters were pretty much smooth sailing and it was alright. I was playing in the forward line so there was less pressure on me but after Lanky went down I played fullback for the rest of the game. The second half was definitely nerve-wrecking and I was on Koschitzke for that entire time,"" he said.
""There was one stage in the last quarter when the crowd was up and about and I felt the nerves and it was a bit daunting.""
Hurley gathered 20 disposals in what was just his seventh match and took 10 marks, including a crucial last quarter effort against Nick Riewoldt.
""I had just turned the ball over and put myself under a little bit of pressure but it was good to take that mark and take the pressure off the other fellas,"" he said.
""It's funny because my parents are both St Kilda supporters so they must have been torn. Obviously they wanted me to play well but I wonder who they wanted to win?
""I think I will gradually convert them to support Essendon. They were pretty happy in the rooms after the game with my grandmother and uncle. It was good to play well in front of them.""
Hurley made his AFL debut in Round 1 this year with an impressive performance against Port Adelaide, however a quad injury and then a broken wrist forced him onto the sidelines for the next 13 matches.
From Macleod Football Club and the Northern Knights, Hurley was selected by Essendon with pick No.5 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
An impressive junior career saw him earn dual NAB AFL under 18 All-Australian honours and graduate from the AIS-AFL Academy.
Essendon now join Collingwood and Adelaide as clubs to have had three players nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star award in 2009.
