MICHAEL Hurley believes Essendon can still salvage something from 2015, with the star defender hoping the Bombers' heart-to-heart before their win over Melbourne turns their season around.
Hurley was outstanding in Saturday's gutsy nine-point victory at the MCG, blanketing boom youngster Jesse Hogan (one goal) and repeatedly repelling the Demons' attacking forays.
The 193cm backman and five-goal hero Joe Daniher led a strong response after the Bombers' humiliating 110-point loss to St Kilda, with Hurley describing the fall-out from that meek performance as one of the most challenging weeks of his career.
"You can always handle a loss, but to lose in the fashion we did against St Kilda was gut-wrenching. So to bounce back the way we did this week was really pleasing," Hurley told AFL.com.au.
"We spoke during the week pretty honestly with each other and accepted the fact that last week wasn't good enough.
"What was said was pretty private. The guys spoke pretty honestly with each other and got all the cards on the table. We sat down for two or three hours and got it out.
"I still think we have a lot to gain out of this year. Today we played 12 kids with under (40) games, so the experience those guys are going to get is going to be amazing.
"Finals are probably out of the question, but playing senior footy for those guys is going to be huge."
Hurley has been a shining light amid the gloom for the 14th-placed Dons, putting himself in the frame for a first All Australian guernsey.
He enhanced his claims with 24 disposals, nine marks and a game-high 12 rebound 50s against Melbourne, earning high praise from coach James Hird.
"Hurls has been enormous this year in the way he's played and what he's given to the team," Hird said post-mach.
"Hurls has always had talent and always had great drive and energy game-day, but now he's worked out how to train and how to lead.
"He's a terrific leader for our club. In a year that hasn't gone the way we all would have liked, his performances have been outstanding."
Hurley said he had built on his strong form in the back half of last season by stringing together good performances.
"I've been able to bring that into this year, just trying to work on my craft and improve as a defender," he said.
"I think the consistency in my footy is the best it's been."
Still only 25, Hurley's anticipating many more intense battles with Hogan, who extended his run of kicking a goal in each of his 11 career games on Saturday.
"He's got a very bright future, Jesse," Hurley said.
"The way he flies at the footy and his body work for such a young kid is pretty amazing. Even today a few times he was able to work me under the ball and take a strong contested mark.
"The bigger, stronger and fitter he gets the harder he's going to be to stop down the years."
