Saints enter race for banned Bomber Hurley

St Kilda has reportedly joined the race for banned Essendon defender, Michael Hurley.

FoxSports has reported that "St Kilda club sources have confirmed that the Saints have spoken to Hurley’s management and flagged their interest in the backman".

The Western Bulldogs and Richmond are also reportedly keen to lure the 25-year-old away from the Bombers, with the Tigers said to be willing to offer Hurley as much as $900,000 per season over five years.

The Bombers have made a long term offer to Hurley, however, he is yet to decide where his future lies, as he currently holidays overseas with several teammates in Europe.

Hurley would be the second Essendon defender to join the Saints in two years, after St Kilda secured Jake Carlisle in last year's trade period, but he too is currently serving a 12-month suspension following Essendon's 2012 supplements regime.

Hurley has played 119 games for the Bombers since making his debut in 2009.

He has the ability to play up forward or down back, booting 105 goals in his career to date, however, he has proved his most valuable in defence, which is where the Saints would likely use the key position player should he opt to join former teammate Carlisle.