Having already solidified his position among the league’s best defenders, Michael Hurley didn’t look back in 2018 and is right in contention for the Crichton Medal.

After returning to the club to claim his second All-Australian selection in 2017, the 28-year-old was brilliant again this year, polling a career-high seven Brownlow votes on Monday night.

He averaged an impressive 21.7 disposals a game – the highest for any of the league’s key defenders and sixth-highest average of any Bomber this year – clearly demonstrating his ability to not just shut down his opponents, but also to damage them in return.

Hurley led the AFL’s key defenders for effective disposals, effective kicks and marks (a career high), and was fourth in the entire league for average rebound 50s (a club high), while leading Essendon for marks and effective kicks.

His rare run, drive and athleticism for his size makes Hurley one of his side’s most important weapons in defence and attack, while he is also one of the club’s greatest leaders both on and off the field, wearing his heart on his sleeve as a truly passionate Bomber.

BEST PERFORMANCE – Round 19 vs Sydney
If you just look at the basic statistics, you may think I’m crazy picking this game as Hurley claimed his lowest disposal tally for the year. But look a little closer and you’ll see that this was one of the season’s best individual performances from a key defender. Going toe-to-toe with Swans star Lance Franklin is no easy task, but Hurley took the opportunity to take on one of football’s biggest challenges with both hands. He kept Franklin to just seven disposals and two goals, while gathering 12 disposals of his own at 83.3 per-cent efficiency. Hurley’s 11 one-percenters say it all, he simply dominated Franklin in every duel and came out of the contest well on top.

SEASON AVERAGES:
Disposals – 21.7
Marks – 7.8
Rebound 50s – 5.5
One-percenters – 4.4

The Crichton Medal will be held at Peninsula on Thursday, October 4.

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