Michael Hurley says coronavirus shutdown has similarities to 12-month Essendon drug ban
He endured a year without football when the Essendon 34 were banned over the supplements saga and Bombers’ star Michael Hurley says while the coronavirus shutdown has similarities, he says he’s better prepared this time.
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Essendon defender Michael Hurley says the AFL shutdown feels similar to the one-year ban he and his then Bomber teammates received in 2016.
Hurley is one of four current Bombers among the 34 that missed a year of football as a result of the supplements saga that rocked the club and the league.
MY STORY: READ HOW MICHAEL HURLEY IS COPING WITH THE SHUTDOWN IN TOMORROW’S SUNDAY HERALD SUN
With players now training in parks and on suburban training ovals as a result of the coronavirus shutdown, Hurley admitted to a feeling of deja vu.
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“I can’t help but feel similarities to what’s happening now,” Hurley told the Sunday Herald Sun.
“Obviously people’s health and wellbeing is paramount.
“Footy is a big part of it for us, but obviously in the scheme of things it’s not that big of a deal.
“But I guess you can feel in a way that it’s similar to 2016, but also different in a way because it’s something everyone is going through this time.”
Hurley said the ban in 2016 and the current shutdown reminded him of his love of the game.
“Having played junior footy from the age of 10, to have that sort of taken away from me was a bigger shock than I had anticipated,” he said.
“This year I sort of feel like I’ve been prepped for it a little bit.
“It does make you appreciate how much you love the game and how much you love everything that comes with it.”
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Hurley has been trying a variety of different training methods in a bid to keep mentally fresh.
Earlier this week he was spotted by North Melbourne great Wayne Carey “flying around the tan” alongside teammate Mitch Hibberd.
“The club’s been really good and a lot of the focus has been on the wellbeing of the players,” Hurley said.
“We have a program that Murph (club condition boss Sean Murphy) sent through, so we’re trying to follow that as much as possible.
“For me, it’s been about breaking it up so I’m not doing the same exercises at the same place at the same time.
“It’s about keeping it a bit more fluid and a change of scenery can help you mentally as much as anything.”
Originally published as Michael Hurley says coronavirus shutdown has similarities to 12-month Essendon drug ban
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