ESSENDON power forward Michael Hurley is set to play down back in 2014, with coach Mark Thompson describing him as a "natural defender".Hurley has played the bulk of his 79-game career for the Bombers as a key attacking target and has booted 99 goals since making his debut in 2009.While he's previously been trialled in defence, Thompson hinted Hurley would spend even more time in the club's backline next season."He's a natural defender, he's a natural competitive beast who likes the ball coming to him and can win one-on-one contests and kicks the ball well and attacks well from down back," Thompson said."I think we'll have a look at him down back. That's not to say he's not going to play forward, [but] we probably think more going towards backline."Thompson will act as senior coach next season as James Hird serves a 12-month ban for his role in Essendon's supplement scandal.Hird will return to coach for season 2015, which puts Thompson in a potentially awkward position regarding the development of Hird's long-term strategy for the club.But Thompson said he would coach his way and attempt to instill his own beliefs during his reign, rather than simply further Hird's plan."I'm going to try and demonstrate to the club things that I want to implement," he said on Melbourne radio station SEN."Certainly, when you're senior coach compared to my other role, you probably have a bit more influence."I'm looking forward to that. I'm looking forward to, at the end of the year, this football club saying 'Oh, we've actually learnt a few things and this is something to take us forward with'.As for reuniting with former Geelong star Paul Chapman, Thompson said it wasn't a difficult decision to offer the 32-year-old an AFL lifeline after he was delisted by the Cats.Although hamstring strains kept the three-time premiership player to just eight games this year, Thompson said Chapman had another few good years of football left in him yet."I've tried to keep a good eye on all those boys still since I've left and he's actually played some terrific football last year," he said."He missed a lot of games with an injury, but it was really the only bad injury year he's had in probably 12 or 13 [seasons]."He's got a good, strong body. He's had a few tears, torn hamstrings but if we just manage him right I know he'll be OK for a couple of years."