Big Michael Hurley says his spirits are high despite suffering his second injury since coming to Windy Hill.

 

The key position backman fractured a bone in his wrist playing for Bendigo last weekend which probably cost him a place in the Essendon team to take on Geelong.

 

“It has been really frustrating being injured but if I look to the brighter side of things it hasn’t been that bad, I am lucky to only miss a month of footy, many others spend much longer times on the sidelines,” he said.

 

“I’m just staying positive and will really push myself at training to get back to where I was at before I injured my wrist. I’m desperate to get back out there and play again.”

 

 

Hurley was taken by the Bombers with the club's first selection (pick No.5 overall) in the 2008 NAB National Draft and impressed early with a solid performance against Warren Treadea in Round 1 of the season.

 

He injured his quad muscle in training the following week and hasn't played AFL football since.

 

“I’d worked really hard to get back and find some form in the VFL after my quad injury; I was on the verge of playing in the seniors as I’d been playing well,” he said.

 

“It was really disappointing to get injured and to end up sidelined again when I was so close.”

 

The 19-year-old is expected to miss another two or three weeks of football.

 

“I’m being as optimistic as possible, my wrist is healing as per schedule, I got my plaster off today so I’m hoping to get out there today and do some training,"" he said.

 

“At this stage I think it will be about two to three more weeks if it all goes to plan. I’m hoping to be available for selection after the split round when we play Melbourne.”