ESSENDON'S Michael Hurley says he is confident in the club's direction but the star key-position player has refused to be drawn into speculation on his future.

Hurley's two-year contract with the Bombers expires at the end of this season and the 21-year-old looms as an obvious target for Greater Western Sydney in the club's second year of recruiting concessions.

Hurley resisted overtures from Gold Coast to sign with the Bombers in May, 2010, and appears unlikely to fast-track his decision after being tight-lipped about the status of negotiations.

"I'm contracted to Essendon until the end of the season so I'll let you know if there's any news," he told AFL.com.au on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier on Tuesday Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton said talks had started between the club and Hurley.

But there are promising signs that he will choose the Bombers, with Hurley, who is living at home with his parents in Melbourne's northern suburbs, keen to buy a property closer to the club.

"I actually was at an auction last weekend but wasn't lucky enough to get the house," he said.

"But I'm looking to buy and looking to move out, about halfway between the club and home, so I can keep in touch with friends from home as well as the family."

Hurley's importance to the Bombers was obvious last December when the key-position player was included in Essendon's leadership group after only three seasons and 47 games with the club.

He says he would like to be given higher honours at Essendon in coming years.

"Hopefully (that happens), I think everybody aspires to be a leader," he said.

"It was a pretty big shock to be included in the leadership group and an honour. It's good to be learning off the other boys."

After jumping from 14th on the ladder 2010 to eighth last season, Hurley said he was confident in the club's direction.

"I'm really excited," he said.

"The way we showed we can develop so quickly last year and again this pre-season, it's been pretty amazing."

Callum Twomey covers Essendon news for AFL.com.au and essendonfc.com.au. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.