Apr 5th, 2020

Apr 5th, 2020

Essendon star Michael Hurley has exemplified the generous nature of AFL stars during the coronavirus crisis by helping a long-time Bomber fan retain her membership and the seats which belonged to her late grandmother.

With all 18 AFL clubs going through a financial crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, clubs have urged members to remain loyal, but with the crisis sparking widespread job losses, some fans have been forced to seek assistance.

When one such fan, Jayden Carter, contacted Essendon's membership team via email, she received the heartwarming news that Hurley had offered to pay the remaining balance of her 2020 membership.

"During the week Michael Hurley reached out to us (the membership team) and offered to help a member who has been impacted by coronavirus," the email read.

Essendon veteran Michael Hurley had contacted the club's membership team to offer his help to fans (Getty)

"We sent him your email and like us he was touched by your passion and could see that your membership means a lot to you."

Ms Carter revealed that she was brought to tears when she received the reply from the Bombers' membership team which notified her of Hurley's kind gesture.

"I cried my eyes out when I read the email," she told Wide World of Sports.

"May not be much to some but it's taken away so much worry and stress for us. I couldn't be anymore grateful.

"Not only do I simply not want to lose my seats, but my seats were my late grandmothers, who was an EFC member for over 60 years."

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan said on Thursday that members of all 18 clubs are entitled to receive refunds (Getty)

Hurley's wonderful gesture comes after AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan explained that club members were entitled to ask for refunds despite the club's financial struggles.

"Of course, if they need it, they can (get refunds)," McLachlan told ABC radio on Thursday.

"But, yes, we would love them to stay because our industry is in a battle and our clubs are in a battle to get through and the membership is their lifeblood.

"All I would say is I understand the pain going on out there and people need to make their own decisions and clearly if they want it (a refund), they can.

"But I know our members understand how big their contribution of membership is to their clubs."