Draft: Michael Hurley

[Phat Toni]

There has been a lot of talk about Hurley being too slow for FB with Pears name getting thrown around, how about Hooker as our FB?

Didnt he run something like 2.88 in the 20m, and most importantly his agility was around 7.90. Obviously he needs to put on the Kg's and he still has a bit to learn but if you have Ryder 1st KPD, Pears 2nd KPD and Hooker 3rd KPD it could work. The only problem is depth with the likes of McPhee, Nat-Rat and Darcy Daniher as the backups. So I am leaning towards draft a blue chip mid with pick 5 and with the 2nd pick go for a slight project KPD.

 

[Smyth94]

There has been a lot of talk about Hurley being too slow for FB with Pears name getting thrown around, how about Hooker as our FB?

Didnt he run something like 2.88 in the 20m, and most importantly his agility was around 7.90. Obviously he needs to put on the Kg's and he still has a bit to learn but if you have Ryder 1st KPD, Pears 2nd KPD and Hooker 3rd KPD it could work. The only problem is depth with the likes of McPhee, Nat-Rat and Darcy Daniher as the backups. So I am leaning towards draft a blue chip mid with pick 5 and with the 2nd pick go for a slight project KPD.

Hooker still has a long way to go as a defender

 

[Sigmund]

Hooker still has a long way to go as a defender

Agreed, but I also believe we have something to work with.

In what areas do you believe he needs to improve?

 

[Phat Toni]

Hooker still has a long way to go as a defender

Agreed but he does have the attributes like quickness, reach and size. He reads the play ok(still needs some work on this) and he has a go, just needs more experience and a few more pre seasons to help with his strength and endurance so his 2nd efforts are better.

 

[Smyth94]

Agreed, but I also believe we have something to work with.

In what areas do you believe he needs to improve?

From reports I hear at Bendigo Hickmott literally "coaches" him on the field and tells him where to run and place himself.

I'd imagine he has a fair bit of learning but his upside is good

Skills also need to tidy up but I agree there is something we can work with.

 

[yaco55]

What I am referring to is that Fletcher/Ryder are vulnerable in one on one strength situations but do better when the forward is leading.

Hurley looks better equipped ( in the future ) for one on one situations but may be vulnerable to a leading forward.

I am confident that Ryder will hold down CHB and hope that Pears can hold down the other key back position.

I dont have high hopes for Daniher being a key back.

Anyway, all will be revealed on draft day.

 

[Phat Toni]

With Prismall now at the EFC I think Hurley is a certainty

 

[Burzum]

Why?

 

[yaco55]

I would rather go with Hartlett or Sidebottom if available.

EFC have only two selections in the Top 50, so it may be more prudent to go Midfielder then Key back.

 

[Phat Toni]

Why?

The promise I heard that the EFC gave Michael earlier in the week makes even more sense now, as in Prismall they got a quality midfielder, so I think they will look to stock up on KPD with pick 5 and maybe go after another middy in the 2nd round.

 

[Smyth94]

With Prismall now at the EFC I think Hurley is a certainty

The promise I heard that the EFC gave Michael earlier in the week makes even more sense now, as in Prismall they got a quality midfielder, so I think they will look to stock up on KPD with pick 5 and maybe go after another middy in the 2nd round.

Hmmm I doubt Essendon would've promised Hurley anything TBH, especially when there were such question marks about his pace off the mark.

His 20m would've surely worried Essendon - and I wouldn't be surprised if we pass on him for a midfielder

 

[Sigmund]

Actually think it is now less likely we will take Hurley. Given we have only 2 picks in top 50, will we take a chance given his slow 20m time? More likely to go for quality young mid perhaps

 

[Smyth94]

What I am referring to is that Fletcher/Ryder are vulnerable in one on one strength situations but do better when the forward is leading.

Hurley looks better equipped ( in the future ) for one on one situations but may be vulnerable to a leading forward.

How many genuine one on one contests do you see these days? They aren't increasing thats for sure.

IMO forwards are all about strength and speed - all the best forwards have very good strength and are very fast off the mark

 

[Phat Toni]

Hmmm I doubt Essendon would've promised Hurley anything TBH, especially when there were such question marks about his pace off the mark.

His 20m would've surely worried Essendon - and I wouldn't be surprised if we pass on him for a midfielder

This is pure hypothetical as delistings/trades/drafting will impact this list of course.

Midfield Rotation Players:
McVeigh - 30 yrs of age at start of season 2011
Welsh 28
Lovett - 28
Watson - 26
Stanton - 25
Lonergan - 24
Prismall - 24
Dyson - 25
Hocking - 23
Dempsey - 23
Houli - 22
Hislop - 22
Reimers - 21
Myers - 21

KPD Rotation Guys:
Nat Rat -28 yrs of age at start of season 2011
McPhee - 28
Ryder - 23
Pears - 21
Hooker - 22

Based on that the need for further depth in the KPD is essential, so IMO I think that promise is true and if Hurley is available he will be wearing Red and Black next year.

 

[Smyth94]

This is pure hypothetical as delistings/trades/drafting will impact this list of course.

Midfield Rotation Players:
McVeigh - 30 yrs of age at start of season 2011
Welsh 28
Lovett - 28
Watson - 26
Stanton - 25
Lonergan - 24
Prismall - 24
Dyson - 25
Hocking - 23
Dempsey - 23
Houli - 22
Hislop - 22
Reimers - 21
Myers - 21

KPD Rotation Guys:
Nat Rat -28 yrs of age at start of season 2011
McPhee - 28
Ryder - 23
Pears - 21
Hooker - 22

Based on that the need for further depth in the KPD is essential, so IMO I think that promise is true and if Hurley is available he will be wearing Red and Black next year.

I am sure we will pick up a KPD in this draft, and quite possibly the next one.

Don't be so certain it will be Hurley.

 

[Phat Toni]

I am sure we will pick up a KPD in this draft, and quite possibly the next one.

Don't be so certain it will be Hurley.

Dont get me wrong here I would much rather we go for a blue chip middy with pick 5, just have a feeling Hurley is coming our way. Suppose we will see come end of November.

 

[SirJimi05]

This is pure hypothetical as delistings/trades/drafting will impact this list of course.

Midfield Rotation Players:
McVeigh - 30 yrs of age at start of season 2011
Welsh 28
Lovett - 28
Watson - 26
Stanton - 25
Lonergan - 24
Prismall - 24
Dyson - 25
Hocking - 23
Dempsey - 23
Houli - 22
Hislop - 22
Reimers - 21
Myers - 21

Should get a decent midfield out of that batch. Hopefully.

 

[yaco55]

EFC may best served going for a midfielder with Pick 5 and a key back with 23, seeing that EFC no longer has pick 39.

I was hoping that EFC would have gained an extra draft selection for Lovett which would have provided more flexibility in the draft.

 

[yaco55]

How many genuine one on one contests do you see these days? They aren't increasing thats for sure.

IMO forwards are all about strength and speed - all the best forwards have very good strength and are very fast off the mark

It seems like we are going around in circles.

Hurley is unsuitable because KEY forwards will kill him on the lead, but yet Ryder/Fletcher who are quickish have been burnt by quick forwards like Fevola.

IMO Ryder and Fletcher have probably been burnt thru a combination of factors; speed of the forward, lack of strength , overall ability of the forward player and most IMPORTANTLY midfield pressure.

I suggest that the quickest defenders will have trouble defending if there is little midfield pressure.

 

[efcboy]

i'm reading all the concerns about hurley's perceived lack of pace based on 20m sprint testing - i don't think that one test is the be all and end all. courtney johns was very quick over 20m but that certainly didn't make him a good defender.

other attributes such as reading the play and reaction time also come into it. lets say player X can sprint 20m in 2.90 but hurley only does it in 3.05sec however hurley's reaction time is 0.5sec quicker, he gets to the contest quicker.

given we've obtained prismall it makes perfect sense to draft either hurley or trengove at 5 and a midfielder/utility at 23.

 

[lemon chicken]

There has been a lot of talk about Hurley being too slow for FB with Pears name getting thrown around, how about Hooker as our FB?

Didnt he run something like 2.88 in the 20m, and most importantly his agility was around 7.90. Obviously he needs to put on the Kg's and he still has a bit to learn but if you have Ryder 1st KPD, Pears 2nd KPD and Hooker 3rd KPD it could work. The only problem is depth with the likes of McPhee, Nat-Rat and Darcy Daniher as the backups. So I am leaning towards draft a blue chip mid with pick 5 and with the 2nd pick go for a slight project KPD.

I think the improvement in Hooker from the start of the year to the end has been greater than everyone of last years draftees. Im happy to admit that I wrote him off way too early and agree that he will make a more than handy KP player for the club. Has shown more than Daniher IMO.

With Prismall now at the EFC I think Hurley is a certainty

I am thinking the same thing but would rather us get a gun midfielder.

 

[Smyth94]

It seems like we are going around in circles.

Hurley is unsuitable because KEY forwards will kill him on the lead, but yet Ryder/Fletcher who are quickish have been burnt by quick forwards like Fevola.

IMO Ryder and Fletcher have probably been burnt thru a combination of factors; speed of the forward, lack of strength , overall ability of the forward player and most IMPORTANTLY midfield pressure.

I suggest that the quickest defenders will have trouble defending if there is little midfield pressure.

That's our exact problem. Not even the AA backline would be any good if there is little midfield pressure (See Dream Team v Victoria)

 

[loopy_cam]

Does anyone know Brian Lake's 20m sprint times? He's probably the slowest full-back that I can think of but still does a very good job.

 

[Smyth94]

Does anyone know Brian Lake's 20m sprint times? He's probably the slowest full-back that I can think of but still does a very good job.

Slowest FB?

Because he "looks" slow?

I honestly doubt he would be glacially slow

 

[loopy_cam]

Slowest FB?

Because he "looks" slow?

I honestly doubt he would be glacially slow

Yep, because he looks the slowest. I'm just trying to get a comparison betwen some of the current fullbacks and Hurley.