IT WAS a career-high six of the best for robust Essendon full-forward Michael Hurley against Fremantle on Saturday night, but he still has one more landmark to match - the eight goals in a game he kicked as a junior.

"Six is the most in AFL, the previous best was four. But growing up, I kicked eight at Macleod [in north-east Melbourne] when I was about 15 so," Hurley told AFL.com.au.

"I'm pretty comfortable at either end so it doesn't bother me, but after tonight I'm happy to stay a bit forward now."

Hurley was one of the inaccurate offenders in the Bombers' losing score of 11.16 against the Swans in their last game.

And he was sent back to school.

"I have been kicking pretty poorly for a while now so I have been just practising heaps over the last couple of weeks. Just repetition, repetition and it has paid off," he said.

"There was no secret, just repetition and getting a routine."

His return of 6.1 made him the most influential player on the night, a fact not lost on coach James Hird.

"I think Michael has the potential to be a really excellent player," Hird said.

"His competitiveness is as good as I've ever seen in a player. He just competes time after time. Unfortunately he didn't get the pre-season he wanted and missed three games with a hamstring and it has taken a while to get into form.

"But when you are a competitor like he is, you talk about Jobe Watson with his heart, but Michael's right up there as well.

"These guys that want to be successful keep working hard, they will be successful."

Teammate and small forward Cory Dell'Olio said Hurley was one of those players who gave teammates around him a lift.

"He is just an amazing presence to be out there with," Dell'Olio said.

"He is just awesome. You know he is going to give 100 per cent every time and he brings the ball down and gives us opportunities."