It is not in Michael Hurley's nature to talk of his own  performances above those of his team.

He's a natural, aggressive, competitive footballer who lets his on-field exploits do most of the talking.

After Essendon's disappointing 74-point loss to Carlton on Saturday night at the MCG, it was a similar case.

Hurley, not content with a strong performance in a losing side, focused on the team's showing, saying the Bombers let the Blues get control too easily.

""We just didn’t play the sort of footy that we wanted to. Carlton obviously played a fantastic game but we thought we fell away in the third and last quarter and it really cost us,"" the 21-year-old said.

""They got on a run and they've obviously got one of the best midfields in the competition and when they get their tail up they play really great footy. Our structures fell away and our ball movement wasn't great, and it really hurt us.""

Although reluctant to blame the loss on injuries to key players, and admitting the team's effort in the second half wasn't up to scratch, Hurley said the absence of injured midfield duo Jobe Watson (hamstring) and Heath Hocking (foot) had been hard to cover.

""It does make it a bit tougher. They are two of our leaders and two of our best midfielders,"" Hurley said.

""It has given opportunities to younger guys and I think David Zaharakis has flourished, Angus Monfries has moved up to the midfield, and Trav Colyer has played really well.

""But when the pressure's on it does make it a bit tougher when you don’t have some of those leaders around.""

Hurley was Essendon's most dominant player against Carlton. He had 17 disposals, took seven marks (three contested), and booted three goals.

When Essendon was struggling with the loss of Tayte Pears to a leg injury in defence, Hurley was also shifted to the backline, where he again competed strongly.

It was a match almost indicative of Hurley's season, and burgeoning career. It is as if he is able, and comfortable, to adapt every week and every quarter to different roles to suit his side.

And, though he wouldn't admit it, his presence as an emerging player of the competition grows with every week. In Hurley, as coach James Hird said after the loss, Essendon has a player it can build a side around.

""My form the last few weeks has been getting better,"" he said.

""Being thrown around from forward to back makes it a little bit tougher, but I do what I'm told and do what Hirdy wants me to do and I'm happy to do that,"" Hurley said.

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