Retiring Essendon defender Michael Hurley has opened talks with the club over an off-field role in 2023.
Hurley made a miraculous return to the field in the club’s final game of the season against Richmond on Saturday night, recovering from a life-threatening hip infection he battled through the early parts of 2021.
The 32-year-old announced earlier this week that he would call time after his 194th game at AFL level, after spending much of the season building fitness at VFL level.
The much-loved Bomber kicked a goal in his final game and was mobbed by both Essendon teammates and Richmond players in a memorable sign of sportsmanship between the two teams.
Hurley said post-game that he was keen to stay at the club in an off-field capacity next year, as well as potentially playing local football.
“I’ve had some initial discussions with (Essendon) about sticking around next year,” he said on AFL Nation.
“It could be potentially in a coaching or player welfare role, so we’re talking through that at the moment.
“In terms of playing football (at some level), I haven’t really thought too far. I have a few little things to tidy up body-wise like my ankle and finger, but I’ll get that sorted and see how I’m feeling physically.”
Essendon is coming off one of their most turbulent weeks in recent memory, after new president David Barham launched a last-ditch and ultimately unsuccessful bid to sign Alastair Clarkson as senior coach.
The move came after now former president Paul Brasher stepped down from the board as a result of Barham's pursuit of Clarkson.
Ultimately, Hurley didn’t have any on-field success in his time at the club and said he was hopeful Essendon’s next generation would be afforded a more stable environment moving forward to ensure the best chance of being successful.
“Over my 14 years, I looked at other clubs who were quite stable and seemed to never have things go wrong and I was envious of that,” he said.
“I look at the young group of guys we have at the moment and I just hope this footy club can provide that sort of (settled) environment that is stable so they have every chance to succeed on the footy field.”