Herald-Sun says Hurley is being urged to walk out on Essendon and they have us as his best suitor.
Hurley could walk as rivals circleHerald-Sun
March 10, 2016MICHAEL Hurley is being urged to walk from Essendon and the lure could as much as $900,000 a season.
Up to six clubs have spoken to Hurley’s manager Paul Connors about invoking a previously unused clause in the player contract which would allow the banned Hurley to leave Essendon and join the club of his choice.
All 12 suspended Essendon players - who could become delisted free agents if they choose - could use the same trigger to leave Essendon.
The Bombers are confident the suspended players will recommit to the club, but sources told the Herald Sun this week Hurley was reconsidering his future.
That’s not to say Hurley definitely wants out, but that he’s not 100 per cent committed to the club as he was six weeks ago.
If 25-year-old Hurley did decide he wanted out, the Bombers could either agree to it, which is unlikely, or fight.
A grievance process and, if needed, a grievance tribunal chaired by Federal Court judge, Professor Geoffrey Giudice, would follow.
Giudice’s tribunal deputy is retired County Court judge Murray Kellam and the panel supporting them comprises David Maddocks, Michael Moncrief and Kevin Power.
The AFL refused to discuss potential cases.
“Under the collective bargaining agreement any player in the competition who has a grievance with their club has the right to have that grievance aired through the processes of the grievance tribunal as agreed under the CBA between the AFL and the player group,” an AFL spokesman told the Herald Sun.
Hurley is contracted until the end of 2017 and for him to leave he would need to argue there was a fundamental breach of his contract at the Bombers.
Hurley, named All-Australian in 2015 and runner-up in the club’s best and fairest, and his teammates were suspended for 12 months for using the banned peptide Thymosin Beta-4.
In November, Essendon pleaded guilty to two charges laid by WorkSafe Victoria for breaching the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act over its handling of the 2012 supplements program.
Lawyers’ advice to several player managers and the AFL Players’ Association is the players would have a strong case for breach of contract.
The clubs inquiring about Hurley have been told he’s likely to stay a Bomber, but their interest will remain strong.
The clubs have made it known that a salary between $750,000 and as much as $900,000 would be available, plus a fresh environment to restart his career.
The Herald Sun has learnt that midfielders David Myers and Travis Colyer have also had interest from rival clubs.
Already, Cale Hooker has been offered a long-term deal from Fremantle, although the Bombers are prepared to offer Hooker a new contract at around $750,000 per season.
Dyson Heppell is tipped to the next captain of the Bombers and tipped to stay, but clubs will investigate his availability.
It’s believed the AFLPA would strongly support any player who wanted to leave the Bombers and would also support that player leaving without a trade being organised between the Bombers and the new club.
Effectively, Essendon would receive nothing in return.
Former Essendon player Patrick Ryder threatened to activate the delisted free agent clause in a bid to move to Port Adelaide at the end of the 2014 season, but the clubs eventually agreed to a trade.
Essendon’s situation is complex. It is dealing with 12 suspended players, 34 in total who are seeking compensation and the possibility of a mass exodus.
If the players stay, the Bombers would be forced to pay overs to keep them.
IF THE CAP FITSPotential suitors for banned BombersMichael Hurley - RichmondCale Hooker - Fremantle
Travis Colyer - St Kilda
David Myers - Geelong
Dyson Heppell - Collingwood
Tom Bellchambers - Hawthorn
Michael Hibberd - Sydney
Brent Stanton - Melbourne
Jobe Watson - Western Bulldogs
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/essendon/banned-essendon-players-could-be-convinced-to-walk-out-on-club-with-rivals-circling/news-story/10d9f4f1f3855939e4cfd6c44cc1eace
