Michael Hurley has tonight been named in the 2015 All Australian side.

Hurley’s defensive prowess caught the eyes of the All Australian selection panel consisting of AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Danny Frawley, Glen Jackovich, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.

2015 was a standout season for Hurley in defence, as he shut down some of the best opposition forwards in the competition including his All Australian teammate Jack Riewoldt.

Averaging  15.8 kicks, 6.9 marks, 5.5 handballs, and ranked third in the AFL for rebound 50s, the selectors would be hard pressed to go past Hurley.

His first All Australian, Hurley joins a long list of Essendon players to be selected in the team over the years including current teammates Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell and Cale Hooker.

Hurley is joined by GWS Giant Heath Shaw, Richmond's Alex Rance, Hawthorn's Josh Gibson and the Western Bulldogs' duo of Easton Wood and Rob Murphy.


Testament to his strong season, Hurley last week came runner-up at the Crichton Medal as well as being awarded the Club's 'Best Defensive Player'.

Currently recovering from a shoulder reconstruction, Hurley is expected to resume training with the rest of the team on a modified program.

See the 2015 All Australian team below.