Hirdismyhero
31 Aug 2007, 18:26
FORMER Terang footballer Chris Heffernan flew to Perth yesterday with Essendon and hopes to take on the West Coast Eagles in what is likely to be his last AFL game tomorrow.
``I've been told to be at the airport this afternoon to fly over, so that's where I'll be,'' the 28-year-old onballer said yesterday.
``Hopefully I'm going over to play,'' he said, who was last night named in the team.
Heffernan said he was excited by the prospect of playing in good mate James Hird's last game and Kevin Sheedy's final match after 27 years as Essendon coach.
He said he could not confirm reports that Sheedy allowed Hird to pick the side.
``Sheeds might have consulted Hirdy but it's hard to see him allowing Hirdy to pick the whole side,'' Heffernan said.
The onballer said he had not ``officially'' decided if he would play on or what he was doing next season.
``Most likely this will be my last game. I want to play this game and then we'll see what happens.''
Heffernan refuted the suggestion he would be playing coach of Terang Mortlake next season.
``Terang Mortlake already has a very good captain coach in Matty Irving,'' he said.
``Long term I may play but I don't know if I would coach the Bloods when I'm living in Melbourne . . . you never know,'' he said.
Irving said Heffernan would probably look to finish his playing career at Terang.
``It's something we're not worried about at this stage but it may happen down the track,'' he said.
``We're focused on what we are doing in the next month. We're always looking to recruit players,'' he said.
Heffernan said Jay Neagle, son of 1984 premiership player Merv Neagle, would make his AFL debut for the Bombers tomorrow.
``The team is usually not settled until Friday but we're flying over to Perth today,'' he said. ``Jay Neagle is expected to play, but I'm not sure what else is happening. We're not looking at how we can affect West Coast, we just want to
give two people who have had an enormous impact on the club a fitting send-off. That's our only focus.''
Heffernan said Hird had been an Essendon legend.
``He's been super . . . great for everyone. He's had some tough times. The way he's gone about things has been incredible,'' he said.
``It would be better if we were playing in the finals. Sheeds has been a huge influence on my career. We all want to show our appreciation. I'm excited about having the chance to play . . I can't wait.''
Heffernan was drafted to Essendon in 1996 at No. 2 in a swap that involved Scott Cummings going to Port Adelaide.
The year 2000 was huge for the damaging midfielder. He played in the pre-season premiership, regular season AFL
premiership and the International Rules Series.
He has played 144 AFL games, kicking 48 goals. This season he has managed six games and 66 disposals and is tipped to retire after tomorrow's game.
``I've been told to be at the airport this afternoon to fly over, so that's where I'll be,'' the 28-year-old onballer said yesterday.
``Hopefully I'm going over to play,'' he said, who was last night named in the team.
Heffernan said he was excited by the prospect of playing in good mate James Hird's last game and Kevin Sheedy's final match after 27 years as Essendon coach.
He said he could not confirm reports that Sheedy allowed Hird to pick the side.
``Sheeds might have consulted Hirdy but it's hard to see him allowing Hirdy to pick the whole side,'' Heffernan said.
The onballer said he had not ``officially'' decided if he would play on or what he was doing next season.
``Most likely this will be my last game. I want to play this game and then we'll see what happens.''
Heffernan refuted the suggestion he would be playing coach of Terang Mortlake next season.
``Terang Mortlake already has a very good captain coach in Matty Irving,'' he said.
``Long term I may play but I don't know if I would coach the Bloods when I'm living in Melbourne . . . you never know,'' he said.
Irving said Heffernan would probably look to finish his playing career at Terang.
``It's something we're not worried about at this stage but it may happen down the track,'' he said.
``We're focused on what we are doing in the next month. We're always looking to recruit players,'' he said.
Heffernan said Jay Neagle, son of 1984 premiership player Merv Neagle, would make his AFL debut for the Bombers tomorrow.
``The team is usually not settled until Friday but we're flying over to Perth today,'' he said. ``Jay Neagle is expected to play, but I'm not sure what else is happening. We're not looking at how we can affect West Coast, we just want to
give two people who have had an enormous impact on the club a fitting send-off. That's our only focus.''
Heffernan said Hird had been an Essendon legend.
``He's been super . . . great for everyone. He's had some tough times. The way he's gone about things has been incredible,'' he said.
``It would be better if we were playing in the finals. Sheeds has been a huge influence on my career. We all want to show our appreciation. I'm excited about having the chance to play . . I can't wait.''
Heffernan was drafted to Essendon in 1996 at No. 2 in a swap that involved Scott Cummings going to Port Adelaide.
The year 2000 was huge for the damaging midfielder. He played in the pre-season premiership, regular season AFL
premiership and the International Rules Series.
He has played 144 AFL games, kicking 48 goals. This season he has managed six games and 66 disposals and is tipped to retire after tomorrow's game.