mikeula
9 Jun 2005, 10:22
Here is today's Herald Sun article.
Hird keen for one more year
Mark Robinson
09jun05
Will play in 2006, will give up the captaincy and will take a pay cut. That is the plan for Essendon's superstar captain James Hird, 32, save for bad form or serious injury.
Hird's future was back on the agenda this week and he has given the strongest indication yet he wants to continue for a 15th season.
He even conceded a pay cut -- Hird is believed to be one of four players earning more than $800,000 this year -- would occur.
"I don't think I'll be getting paid what I got paid this year," he said.
"(But) I've never played for money and I'm not playing for money, and I wouldn't be playing next year if it was all about the money.
"I can't see how you can actually get motivated to play good footy that way."
Hird's Bombers are in 14th position with four wins from 11 matches and are predicted to remain in the bottom quarter of the ladder.
While that is not heartening this season, Hird said he would not abandon his club in its hour of need.
"That would be a cop out and a weak way to go," he said. "I wouldn't leave my club when they're on the bottom of the ladder, I don't think it's the thing to do after everything they've done for me."
Hird and Bombers CEO Peter Jackson will meet next month to discuss the future, but the 1996 Brownlow medallist is unabashed in his leaning towards playing on.
"I'd love to play next year, and I don't want to play bad football either. I want to make sure the body's right and the mind's right," Hird said.
"There's a lot of things have to happen. I still love playing footy, and I wouldn't like to be leaving the Essendon Football Club when they need you the most."
Hird reiterated his call that full-forward Matthew Lloyd was his logical replacement as captain, and that would probably be ideal if he played on after handing on the power.
"You don't want to become captain at 30, 31. I think Lloydy's 27, and you want a few years to grow into it if you want to do the job properly," Hird said. "And I think it's about the right time for him.
"It's also not by decision as well, it's the club's decision and the coach's decision."
A proud footballer, Hird, 32, would call it quits if he was to suffer an injury or drastically lose his form.
"It's a decision that I don't want to make until I'm confident my body and my form is where I want it to be," Hird said.
"I don't want be playing, spending two quarters on the bench, either. That's not the way I see myself playing."
I guess there is good and bad news and typically Hirdy to want to play on to help the team. All those people that criticise him etc can basically eat their words after this article.
However bad news is who the hell will be captain? He promoted Lloyd but Lloyd should never be captain judging by past experiences. This season is a brilliant test case to prove he shouldnt.
Maybe Sheedy might pull a suprise and give it to his love child Henno?
:D
Hird keen for one more year
Mark Robinson
09jun05
Will play in 2006, will give up the captaincy and will take a pay cut. That is the plan for Essendon's superstar captain James Hird, 32, save for bad form or serious injury.
Hird's future was back on the agenda this week and he has given the strongest indication yet he wants to continue for a 15th season.
He even conceded a pay cut -- Hird is believed to be one of four players earning more than $800,000 this year -- would occur.
"I don't think I'll be getting paid what I got paid this year," he said.
"(But) I've never played for money and I'm not playing for money, and I wouldn't be playing next year if it was all about the money.
"I can't see how you can actually get motivated to play good footy that way."
Hird's Bombers are in 14th position with four wins from 11 matches and are predicted to remain in the bottom quarter of the ladder.
While that is not heartening this season, Hird said he would not abandon his club in its hour of need.
"That would be a cop out and a weak way to go," he said. "I wouldn't leave my club when they're on the bottom of the ladder, I don't think it's the thing to do after everything they've done for me."
Hird and Bombers CEO Peter Jackson will meet next month to discuss the future, but the 1996 Brownlow medallist is unabashed in his leaning towards playing on.
"I'd love to play next year, and I don't want to play bad football either. I want to make sure the body's right and the mind's right," Hird said.
"There's a lot of things have to happen. I still love playing footy, and I wouldn't like to be leaving the Essendon Football Club when they need you the most."
Hird reiterated his call that full-forward Matthew Lloyd was his logical replacement as captain, and that would probably be ideal if he played on after handing on the power.
"You don't want to become captain at 30, 31. I think Lloydy's 27, and you want a few years to grow into it if you want to do the job properly," Hird said. "And I think it's about the right time for him.
"It's also not by decision as well, it's the club's decision and the coach's decision."
A proud footballer, Hird, 32, would call it quits if he was to suffer an injury or drastically lose his form.
"It's a decision that I don't want to make until I'm confident my body and my form is where I want it to be," Hird said.
"I don't want be playing, spending two quarters on the bench, either. That's not the way I see myself playing."
I guess there is good and bad news and typically Hirdy to want to play on to help the team. All those people that criticise him etc can basically eat their words after this article.
However bad news is who the hell will be captain? He promoted Lloyd but Lloyd should never be captain judging by past experiences. This season is a brilliant test case to prove he shouldnt.
Maybe Sheedy might pull a suprise and give it to his love child Henno?
:D