Michael Hurley says acting as a mentor to younger players at Essendon has led the dual All Australian to consider a future in coaching.

“As you become an older player at the footy club you want to impart your knowledge onto the younger players and it’s something I’ve enjoyed,” Hurley told aflplayers.com.au.

“I work closely with a few of the young guys at the club at the moment and it’s rewarding to spend time with those guys and see it come out in their game. To do it in a team sense would be fairly rewarding.

The Northern Knights product is currently completing his Level 2 Coaching Course and recently returned to his boyhood club to lend a hand at training and inspire the current crop of AFL hopefuls. 

“Coaching is something that I think I’m keen to do but I guess at the moment I don’t want to coach for the sake of coaching. I want to really find out if it’s something I’m passionate about and something I enjoy,” he said.

“If that’s the case, hopefully going forward I can coach at a high level or even at a junior level.”

Hurley highlighted the importance of resilience, having to ride the knocks and niggles that come with being a professional footballer.

From 2012 the defender suffered from debilitating back issues and revealed the full extent of the soreness and its effect on him over a number of years.

“In 2016 it was a low point for me, I was really struggling,” he added.

“I was having to have a couple of epidurals just to function again, but over the last 18 months it’s been far better.

Hurley credits the KIESER physiotherapy and strength program for prolonging his illustrious career.

“From the mid-point of 2016 I have been going in there (KIESER) and doing my work.

“Ever since then I really haven’t had any problems.

“To maintain that strength is really important and something I need to do forever now.”