They would be basing it off Woosha saying he has been told what he needs to do. They read the article then go on their shows and sprout that they know something. SWSNBN may be an ■■■■ but at least she does get links to clubs. These guys are just social media experts.
Hurley was playing AFL from game one which means he had already reached an AFL level of fitness - Obviously he built on this from season to season - You are comparing apples and oranges.
Not only did Hurley debut and play AFL immediately (i.e. round 1, 2009), he did a great job on Warren Tredrea in his first game and that was after an injury-interrupted debut preseason. He then got a bunch of injuries that kept him out for 2/3rds of the year, and he then returned to the senior side off a very low fitness base to win a rising star nomination and get us into the finals with his 4-goal game against the Hawks.
So not only was his early career form not even remotely comparable to Francis, Hurley was good enough to overcome serious injuries throughout his debut season and still be a very solid AFL player.
Whilst Hurls did need ages to get himself in right frame of mind with professionalism (and thus stop keeping getting injured) he was certainly much more naturally fitter than Francis to begin with.