Retiring Essendon veteran Michael Hurley has pleaded with his AFL club's new leadership to provide stability, as they contemplate a third senior coach in four years.
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Hurley called time on his 193-game career on Thursday, although he'll add one more to that tally when he faces Richmond on Saturday night and completes an inspirational comeback from a life-threatening hip injury.
But his return will be overshadowed by drama surrounding the Bombers, after David Barham took over from Paul Brasher as president this week amid speculation the club will sack coach Ben Rutten and appoint former champion Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson.
Hurley, who knows a thing or two about playing through tumultuous periods having been with Essendon through the supplements saga, admitted it was hard to see the club again on shaky ground.
"For me there's an element of frustration. I know throughout my career I've craved a bit of stability and a settled footy club," he told reporters.
"Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be that way at the moment.
"I just hope it can work itself out, and these younger guys get the stability I craved through my career."
Hurley, 32, said he was proud of how Rutten had negotiated his way through the difficult period, with constant speculation he is to be sacked imminently.
"He's come in, worn the media, he's always put the players first and it's easy for people to just see him as a senior coach and forget he's a father, a husband, a mate to all of us," he said.
"It's been a bit sad the way he's had to wear this, I know I've felt for him.
"He's come in, chest out, trying to work for us and give us the best environment he can for us to win football games."
Two-time All-Australian Hurley looked unlikely to ever run again after suffering a hip infection before the 2021 campaign, only to defy the odds and return to VFL action this July.
He said there wasn't one moment where he didn't think he could make it back - there were a handful.
"From the initial stage being in hospital, to needing major surgery, and even in the middle part of this year I had a couple of setbacks and questioned if I was doing the right thing by the club to keep trying," he told reporters.
"I'm really glad I had the support and the people around here, people in my life supporting me and backing me.
"When I got sick a couple of years ago I really wanted to come back and not have that be the end of my career.
"I've worked really hard to put myself in a position to play senior footy again, to get one more chance to do that is something really special and I'm proud of."
Australian Associated Press