Hurley deserves a break
Michael Hurley is considered the Essendon player most likely to go out of his way to encourage an injured teammate, but the tables have turned as they support him through his luckless start to 2013.
The Essendon forward has been subbed out of three of his seven games this year, twice with an ankle injury and another with concussion.
And in the last minute of the Bombers' stirring round three win over Fremantle in Perth, Hurley also landed on his wrist and had to be rushed from the field.
He will miss Saturday's meeting with the Sydney Swans after last week rolling his ankle in the Bombers' win over Richmond.
Fellow Bomber David Zaharakis said the players were keen to see Hurley have an uninterrupted run at it.
"He's a really loyal bloke and he's really good with teammates who have been injured so you have to give him that support when it's happened to him because Mick's probably the most loyal guy at the footy club between teammates," Zaharakis told AFL.com.au.
"Hurls is one of those blokes who just loves playing footy and when that's taken away from him he can get down on himself as anyone would."
Hurley had looked set to recapture his best form at the start of the season, starring against the Dockers and kicking three goals against St Kilda before hurting his ankle.
He has only played one full game since.
"He's had a tough run. I send him a few messages here and there to try and cheer him up," Zaharakis said.
"He just wants to play footy. He'd play footy anywhere, he'd play in a local paddock if he could."
Scott Gumbleton has replaced Hurley to take on the Swans, having dominated at VFL level last week.
A close contest is expected at the SCG, with the last four games between the sides all decided by under 10 points.
"We've played pretty well against Sydney the last couple of years and we match up fairly well against each other," Zaharakis said.
"We're ready for a contested style of game. They're obviously a great side and we're just looking forward to it."