One of Michael Hurley's many strengths as a footballer is his selflessness. It is clearly one of his traits off the field, too.
Two things stood out on Friday when Hurley and Essendon coach James Hird fronted the media to announce the 21-year-old's five-year contract deal with the Bombers: his reasons for signing now, and just how he went about it.
Hurley isn't overly comfortable with the media spotlight. He accepts it, but he doesn't necessarily enjoy it. Over the last two months, with Greater Western Sydney apparently looming, he has continued to be a rumoured target of the AFL's newest club.
Two things stood out on Friday when Hurley and Essendon coach James Hird fronted the media to announce the 21-year-old's five-year contract deal with the Bombers: his reasons for signing now, and just how he went about it.
Hurley isn't overly comfortable with the media spotlight. He accepts it, but he doesn't necessarily enjoy it. Over the last two months, with Greater Western Sydney apparently looming, he has continued to be a rumoured target of the AFL's newest club.
But he didn't want that to continue. He could handle it - it's part of his lot, it comes with the territory - but he didn't want his family to be asked about it every day; when they went to the shops, to work, to the local footy.
""I was always keen to stay and I thought I'd like to get it out of the way and over and done with,"" Hurley said.
""You saw towards the end of the year that their (players who were speculated to go to GWS) families started getting brought into it and I tried to avoid that. I didn't want that happening. I thought football is what I play and not what my family does, so I'd like to keep it up to me.""
Hurley, who is still on the search for a new house, says he feels ""lucky"" to be financially secure with the long-term deal. Hird, however, said his star forward could have pushed for more money, but wanted to make sure it would not be at the expense of teammates who also require new deals.
""Michael said to both Ian [Robson] and Paul [Hamilton] that he understood when he signed his contract if he tries to go for everything, then there's no money left for the other players,"" Hird said.
""And that's the great thing about what Michael did. He could have got more money, but he stayed and realised he wanted to be a part of a successful team and that means taking less money so your mates can stay around and play.""
The signing appears to mark the next phase of Hurley's career. After three impressive seasons switching from defence to attack, he will spend most of 2012 settled close to goal.
Late last year he was added to the leadership group, and he has a strong understanding of his position in the team and the way his teammates are drawn to things he says, and what he does. It was obvious at the training session that followed the press conference, where several Bombers shook Hurley's hand and gave him a pat on the back.
Already Hurley has played with, and learned from, Essendon champions Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas and Dustin Fletcher. Hird suggests Hurley will be held in the same esteem, meaning the five-year deal (the first given at Essendon since Mark Mercuri in 2000) is not a risk.
""We have no doubt that Michael will be up in that regard at the end of his career, and so five years is a short amount of time,"" Hird said.
""Even if he has setbacks, even if he has injuries, even if he doesn't play that well, because of the competitive nature he's got in him, he'll fight through that to be the player we all hope he'll be one day.""
Hurley took that as a compliment. He's ready to help Essendon back to the top of the ladder, to success he believes is not far away.
""Everybody has been great to me in my time here and I really do love the footy club,"" he says. ""I see myself as an Essendon player and I'd like to be one for the rest of my career.""
""I was always keen to stay and I thought I'd like to get it out of the way and over and done with,"" Hurley said.
""You saw towards the end of the year that their (players who were speculated to go to GWS) families started getting brought into it and I tried to avoid that. I didn't want that happening. I thought football is what I play and not what my family does, so I'd like to keep it up to me.""
Hurley, who is still on the search for a new house, says he feels ""lucky"" to be financially secure with the long-term deal. Hird, however, said his star forward could have pushed for more money, but wanted to make sure it would not be at the expense of teammates who also require new deals.
""Michael said to both Ian [Robson] and Paul [Hamilton] that he understood when he signed his contract if he tries to go for everything, then there's no money left for the other players,"" Hird said.
""And that's the great thing about what Michael did. He could have got more money, but he stayed and realised he wanted to be a part of a successful team and that means taking less money so your mates can stay around and play.""
The signing appears to mark the next phase of Hurley's career. After three impressive seasons switching from defence to attack, he will spend most of 2012 settled close to goal.
Late last year he was added to the leadership group, and he has a strong understanding of his position in the team and the way his teammates are drawn to things he says, and what he does. It was obvious at the training session that followed the press conference, where several Bombers shook Hurley's hand and gave him a pat on the back.
Already Hurley has played with, and learned from, Essendon champions Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas and Dustin Fletcher. Hird suggests Hurley will be held in the same esteem, meaning the five-year deal (the first given at Essendon since Mark Mercuri in 2000) is not a risk.
""We have no doubt that Michael will be up in that regard at the end of his career, and so five years is a short amount of time,"" Hird said.
""Even if he has setbacks, even if he has injuries, even if he doesn't play that well, because of the competitive nature he's got in him, he'll fight through that to be the player we all hope he'll be one day.""
Hurley took that as a compliment. He's ready to help Essendon back to the top of the ladder, to success he believes is not far away.
""Everybody has been great to me in my time here and I really do love the footy club,"" he says. ""I see myself as an Essendon player and I'd like to be one for the rest of my career.""
