Bomber Hurley on verge of inspirational return
ESSENDON veteran Michael Hurley is on the verge of an inspirational comeback almost two years after he last played a senior game.
The defender, who failed to play a game last year due to complications from a hip infection, moved well at Tullamarine this week when he joined his teammates on the track.
The 31-year-old was hospitalised and lost more than 10kg amid fears he could even lose a leg and never play again.
The 32-year-old is now set to make his return through the VFL in a fortnight barring any further hiccups.
“I don’t want to put the mozz on him but hopefully we’ll see him back pretty quickly,” Bombers coach Ben Rutten said.
“He’s ahead of where he’s been in the past when he’s had those couple of setbacks but we’ll see him soon.”
Star Darcy Parish will make a welcome return for the Bombers when they clash with the Swans at the SCG on Saturday.
“It’ll be great (to have Parish back),” Rutten said.
“He’s obviously missed the past couple of weeks, so to get him back in the team is great.
“He’s had a really good week to 10 days and he’s done a fair bit of training throughout that period.
“He was touch and go last week but it’s good to get him back in the team.”
Key defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is the other inclusion and Rutten said he deserved his recall.
“He’s got a good body of work together in the VFL and he’s really improving his craft,” he said.
Young gun Ben Hobbs has been left out but he’s being managed.
“He’s played 10 or so AFL games in a row and he’s basically learning a forward role at AFL level, so he’s done a fantastic job,” Rutten said.