Retired #18: Michael Hurley 🐻 - Staying on in a coaching and player welfare role! - 3/10

[Lore]

Contract Status: Retired
Last Game Played: Currently in the side
Injury Status: Comes back from injury to play his final game for the club this weekend - 18/8

Spoiler

2022
He's back! Playing a half in the VFL this weekend - 15/7
Joins main training in the next couple of weeks! - 15/6
Had a calf setback, now running again - 28/4
Wants to play a half in the VFL in the next couple of weeks - 30/3
Joined main training? - 3/3
Ahead of schedule, doing some big running loads - 16/2
Progressing well, R1 'too soon' to return, no time frame - 11/1
On track for playing return around Round 6 - 12/3

2021
Ahead of schedule, running soon - 15/12
Hip replacement surgery - 10/10
Placed on the inactive list, will not play in 2021 - 31/5
Hopes to play the last 6 weeks of the season if not sooner - 26/4
At the club daily doing 1-2 hours of exercise for recovery - 23/3
On the mend - 19/3
Apparently using the hot/cold pools at the club, progress? - 5/3
Limping on crutches with an IV at the preseason game - 25/2
Discharged, recuperating at home... again. No time frame on return - 17/2
Apparently back in hospital - 15/2
Discharged from hospital, recuperating at home. No timeframe - 9/2
In hospital with an infected leg - 4/2

My Boy Draft 2022: Claim here

 

[VelvetSledge]

How does the defence set up if he is to play down back? Are they only going to play Fletcher in select games? Seems pointless if he was to go on another year only to barely play. Also, I'd rather them not dislodge Carlisle from the backline after looking solid and much better there than his small stints forward.

I get the feeling that it will be more of a swingman role with Carlisle.

 

[eth-dog]

#FletchForward

 

[Whispering_Jack]

#FletchForward

You saw it here first folks, Fletch will play a lot forward next year.

 

[Kong]

The only way HURLEY BACK can work is if they:

a) Send Carlisle forward
b) Release Hibberd further up the ground and replace him with Fletcher

It doesn't bode well for Pears and Fletcher on face value.

On top of that, it leaves us with key forward of Daniher and Ryder/Bellchambers.

Not really a fan, unless they send Carlisle forward, and even then I think he's too valuable down back, and I still have doubt that Daniher's ready.

 

[Loonerty]

The only way HURLEY BACK can work is if they:

a) Send Carlisle forward
b) Release Hibberd further up the ground and replace him with Fletcher

It doesn't bode well for Pears and Fletcher on face value.

On top of that, it leaves us with key forward of Daniher and Ryder/Bellchambers.

Not really a fan, unless they send Carlisle forward, and even then I think he's too valuable down back, and I still have doubt that Daniher's ready.

Completely agree with this.
Carlisle is far too good a defender to move forward, and when he has played full games forward he hasn't shown much to suggest he should stay there over defence.

 

[NC23]

Could we be seeing a sneaky mature aged forward taken by Disco?

 

[Ben the Gooner]

Carlisle forward IMO. Equally adept at both ends, and Hurley is just as good a defender.

 

[RearNaked]

Fev forward.. Bring in the fev!!

 

[Phone]

our forwards only poise a constant threat when the midfield is playing good + defenders are incepting marks left, right and centre so who cares who plays forward

 

[hurlygurdy]

The only way HURLEY BACK can work is if they:

a) Send Carlisle forward
b) Release Hibberd further up the ground and replace him with Fletcher

It doesn't bode well for Pears and Fletcher on face value.

On top of that, it leaves us with key forward of Daniher and Ryder/Bellchambers.

Not really a fan, unless they send Carlisle forward, and even then I think he's too valuable down back, and I still have doubt that Daniher's ready.

They have to think defense first. That means leaving Carlisle back.
I'm happy for them to trial Fletch as a target up forward, but if that doesn't fly, i'm happy to have JD and the resting rucks as the talls. It would probably mean more forward time for BJ, but i'm cool with that. In general, flooding our forward line with more attacking mids is a pretty attractive alternative. We have good depth with our mids as it is and there are plenty knocking on the door from the VFL. It may not blow the opposition away, but i also doubt we would see the rebounds that were a problem this year.

 

[eth-dog]

#FletchForward

The only way HURLEY BACK can work is if they:

a) Send Carlisle forward
b) Release Hibberd further up the ground and replace him with Fletcher

It doesn't bode well for Pears and Fletcher on face value.

On top of that, it leaves us with key forward of Daniher and Ryder/Bellchambers.

Not really a fan, unless they send Carlisle forward, and even then I think he's too valuable down back, and I still have doubt that Daniher's ready.

nope

 

[Darealrath]

Carlisle forward IMO. Equally adept at both ends, and Hurley is just as good a defender.

Seems the only way we can do it without being too tall down back. I guess the potential gains are based on the prospect of increased continuity more than anything else.

 

[Darealrath]

Cannot see Fletch up forward. We would be shredded on the rebound.

 

[eth-dog]

Cannot see Fletch up forward. We would be shredded on the rebound.

No less than when Hurley would be up there. The reason you argue no Fletch up there is because he's a poor CM

 

[BrunoV]

#FletchForward

He can't mark the ball.

 

[BrunoV]

The only way HURLEY BACK can work is if they:

a) Send Carlisle forward
b) Release Hibberd further up the ground and replace him with Fletcher

It doesn't bode well for Pears and Fletcher on face value.

On top of that, it leaves us with key forward of Daniher and Ryder/Bellchambers.

Not really a fan, unless they send Carlisle forward, and even then I think he's too valuable down back, and I still have doubt that Daniher's ready.

Agreed with bolded in particular. Neither have a place in the side if Hurley plays back.

 

[Old Campaigner]

Can't wait to see Fletch punch the first ball passed to him inside our forward 50 safely out of bounds.

 

[eth-dog]

He can't mark the ball.

Averaged 5 marks/game this year, 4 marks/game over his career.

 

[Old Campaigner]

Averaged 5 marks/game this year, 4 marks/game over his career.

So not only can he mark the ball, he's getting better. Give the man a 5 year deal!

 

[Loonerty]

Averaged 5 marks/game this year, 4 marks/game over his career.

How about contested?

 

[eth-dog]

How about contested?

Cant tell you his whole career, footywire only has the past 4 years but it's 0.5/game over that period.

 

[BrunoV]

Averaged 5 marks/game this year, 4 marks/game over his career.

You seriously want to have a discussion about the merits of Feltcher playing as a lead up, stand and deliver target requiring him to hold, what are in effect, contested marks?

Hooker takes marks. Carlisle takes even more marks. Fletcher does not take marks.

 

[Kakkle]

Kakkle breaking news since 2013

 

[jesselift]

is there any chance that fletcher will be playing forward at all next year?

 

[Old Campaigner]

I hope so. Every goal would bring the house down at Etihad.