Essendon Coach John Worsfold is confident Michael Hurley will remain with the Club.
The All-Australian defender is set to return from holiday in the coming days.
Opposition coaches Luke Beveridge and Alan Richardson have spoken of Hurley’s quality in recent days and their desire to be part of the discussion should he seek a change of club.
When asked today about the ‘jungle drums’ suggesting Hurley may seek a move elsewhere, Worsfold responded: “Mine must be coming from the other direction.”
Hurley is contracted for next season so if he were to leave a trade deal would need to be agreed upon.
“I haven’t really even considered that because I’m confident we won’t even have to worry about that,” Worsfold said.
“Michael, I’m very confident will be playing for Essendon.”
All Australians Cale Hooker and Dyson Heppell, along with Heath Hocking, Travis Colyer, David Myers and Tom Bellchambers have already an announced they’ll return next season.
That leaves six players still considering their futures, but Worsfold isn’t concerned by the length of time they’re taking.
“They’ve been forced to have a year off and for them that’s the opportunity to reflect on a lot of things and get absolutely clear on what they want to do,” he said.
“For some, it was to make the decision early – that was right for them – and for others it’s ‘let’s give it a bit more time to let things sink in’.
"For every week that goes on, it is getting tighter. But that doesn't mean we're in a rush right now. We're more than comfortable for the boys to get back from overseas, and my guess is that that opens up next week to find out where they're at.
"I've been involved in the game for a long time and the length of time doesn't always correlate to mean someone's leaving. If you go back and do your data checks, I'd say the odds are still in our favour."
Essendon could enter the off-season holding its highest ever draft pick.
Worsfold said if the Bombers do end up with the first overall selection, the Club would be open to trading it, if it can get something better in return.
“It’s a very basic equation - if we get offered something that's is more valuable to us than the number one pick, we will consider that,” he said.
“If any offer is going to put the Essendon Football Club in a better position than just taking the number one pick, we would be silly not to consider that.
“The only way we’d give up the number one pick is to put us in a better position.”
Essendon host Gold Coast this Sunday in the first of three home matches to finish the season.
Worsfold said the playing group remains in good spirits.
“The group is really embracing the next few weeks,” he said.
“The energy levels and enthusiasm, I’m rapt with. That’s one of the resilient parts of the group this year…they’ve stayed focused on using every week to try to get better and improve and learn.
“We were rapt for the opportunity to play against one of the premiership fancies on the weekend and we’ve got some really big challenges coming up which the players are looking forward to.”
