Coburg defender Michael Hartley earns second chance with Essendon

MICHAEL Hartley had considered a move to the United States two years ago. But his father Colin convinced him not to give up on his AFL dream.

VFL - Sandringham v Coburg. Coburg's Michael Hartley up for the mark. Picture: Mark Stewart

MICHAEL Hartley had considered a move to the United States two years ago.

Having been taken at Pick 87 in the 2011 AFL Rookie Draft, the defender endured two injury riddled seasons with Collingwood in which he managed just five VFL games before getting the axe in 2013.

With his shoulders failing to cope with the rigours of AFL football, an American Football punting career appeared a better option for the booming right-footer.

But father Colin convinced the then 20-year-old to have another crack at achieving his lifelong dream of playing AFL.

“To be honest I was going to try the NFL because I’ve got a pretty long kick,” Hartley said.

“But I was talking to my dad and he said ‘You’re still pretty young, have another crack and see what happens’. I thought the VFL was the best way to go about it so I talked to a couple of clubs and Coburg said ‘You’ll play every game and you’ll play on the biggest, ugliest monster full-forward each week and if you play well there’s a chance for you’. To be honest, I didn’t think Coburg was going to be too good so I thought it might be down my end a fair bit. So I thought that was my chance.”

Two years after joining the Lions, Hartley last night secured a second chance at the top level as he was selected by Essendon with Pick 68 in the AFL National Draft.

“I just went into it not expecting anything really but it turned out all right,” said Hatley, who watched the draft telecast with his father and a few close friends.

“I was pretty happy with it.”

Here is the moment Michael Hartley's name was read out in last night's draft! Special thanks to former Coburg player Nick Dundon for capturing this via instagram!- @dundo4

Posted by Coburg Football Club on Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Hartley was left sweating.

Last year his name was not read out on draft night, despite high hopes.

This year, he was the third-last player picked.

The Bombers were a club which Hartley had been in touch with before, though.

He was set to line up for the club as a top-up player during this year’s NAB Challenge before doctors discovered weakness in the same shoulder he had two reconstructions on during his days at Collingwood, unravelling those plans.

However, having got his 198cm, 102kg frame in top shape this year on the back of an intensive physio program, Hartley did not miss a game.

“I’m feeling 100 per cent,” he said.

“The shoulders are going well and the body is feeling great and ready to roll.”

Hartley said Coburg coach Peter German had been “huge” in his development into an all-rounded defender.

German himself said Hartley had done everything asked of him and deserved his rewards.
“He’s got bigger, stronger, he’s matured and he’s invested a lot more time and committed himself to improving his footy,” the coach said.

“So you love to see those stories when you get players like that rewarded for their work.”

Hartley’s rise to the AFL comes a year after another Coburg product — Adam Saad — secured a spot on Gold Coast Suns’ list.

Saad played 16 games in his debut season this year.

German believes Hartley has the ability to similarly step straight up to the top level.

“It might take him half a season to get his head around it all again but I would think anyone who picks up a 22-year-old would think he might be able to impact pretty early in the piece,” he said.