Essendon coach James Hird is confident star tall utility Michael Hurley will resist the lure of big money from AFL newcomers Greater Western Sydney.
Hurley is among several big names who are out of contract at the end of this season.
GWS have two years of recruiting concessions and they have already signed uncontracted players Tom Scully (Melbourne), Phil Davis (Adelaide), Rhys Palmer (Fremantle) and Callan Ward (Western Bulldogs).
“I’m sure everyone is very hopeful that Michael will sign soon, but that’s up to Michael, his manager and his club to sort out,” Hird said.
“I don’t think he wants any pressure from us, but obviously we would love to have him signed as soon as possible and I’m sure that will happen.”
The Bombers hope their new $25 million training facility, next to Melbourne Airport, will encourage players such as Hurley to stay with them.
On Wednesday, Hird helped turn the first sod in a ceremony at the construction site.
“We’re setting up an environment that players want to stay in (and) we’re setting up an elite environment where they can get the best out of themselves,” Hird said.
“That will be for Michael to weigh up – we’re certainly confident he’ll stay, but that will be for him to decide.
“Speaking to Michael, he’s very keen to stay.”
Hurley is now part of the Bombers’ leadership group, but his pre-season was set back last month when he had some hamstring tightness.
“Michael’s going very well, he trained with the full group yesterday, which went very well,” Hird said.
The Bombers are planning to build a new headquarters that will be two and a half times the size of their spiritual home at Windy Hill.
It will feature two training ovals, one the size of the MCG playing surface and the other having the same dimensions as Etihad Stadium.
They aim to be training at the new facility by the end of this year, with construction of the buildings to finish next year.
They will share the centre with the Australian Paralympic Committee.
“The greatest advantage we’re going to have over what we have at the moment is a proper football ground to train on,” Hird said.
“Essendon in my time has been training on a postage stamp, you haven’t been able to do the drills you want.”
Hird added injury-plagued key forward Scott Gumbleton was recovering well from surgery he had late last year to fix persistent lower-back trouble.
The Bombers coach also is pleased with work they have done over the pre-season to improve their midfield depth.
“We have enough quality and depth in our midfield now,” Hird declared.
“There are a lot of guys who have had good pre-seasons – you look at some of the younger guys in Jake Melksham, Ben (Howlett) and Travis Colyer.”
He said last year’s Rising Star winner Dyson Heppell would “creep” into the midfield at times this season.