Michael Hurley has been a pillar of strength in the Bomber backline this season.

The way he patrols the backline and attacks the contest without fear has been incredible to watch, but it’s his damaging ability to rebound and set up an attack which is just as entertaining.

Footy experts have him as a lock for the All-Australian team, and he’s sure to be a strong contender for the Crichton Medal.

But Hurley's impressive run of form was the result of some honest self-assessment at the start of the season.

“It was a slow progression, my performances weren’t at the level I would have liked them to be at, and I had to re-align my game," he said.

It resulted in him seeking advice from the coaching staff including Mark Harvey and Dan Jordan in order to tinker areas of his game he felt needed improvement.

But Hurley also sought the experience of new teammate, James Kelly.

“For me, he’s been crucial," he said.

“Working alongside James Kelly, we’re trying to drive some tuff in the way we move the ball and the way we defend.

“'Kel' has obviously been there at the pointy end of the year and played in the games we’d all love to play in, so to learn from him and see the way he goes about it has been great.”

Injuries to Paddy Ambrose and Mitch Brown have left the Club’s stocks a little short, but Hurley can’t fault the effort of the group.

Despite having only played a handful of games together, Hurley believes the back line is gelling well.

“We’ve played the last six or seven weeks with this same group, and I think that our performances are growing," he said.

“We’ve seen our forward half turnovers spike over the past three weeks, which is huge for us, and a credit to the guys and how we’ve set the ground up.”