Player Review # 5. JAMES HIRD.

F111 · Post by **F111** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:15 am

Let me have the honour for this one.

I'm happy he's going around one more time.

If he plays 15 games in 2007 it'll be well worth it. I hope he plays more of course.

2006 wasn't up there with his best seasons, but you wouldn't expect that anyhow. He still manages to get the crowd off their seats as much as any other player.

Sol · Post by **Sol** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:10 am

Wrapped he is going round again and also agree 15 games plus finals if we get there is well worth it.

I thought as usual whne he played he was generally typically brillient he just missed alot of games which amplified the loss of Lloyd.

It is no coincidence he played in all of our wins.

8/10 when he played but having played less than half of our games 4/10 overall.

bombercol · Post by **bombercol** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:10 pm

Has still got it. Glad he's playing next year.

The only fault this year was not watched so many games from the sidelines.

Will be nice to see him (hopefully) 250 games.

5.5/10

lozza89 · Post by **lozza89** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:26 pm

Absolutely thrilled that he is playing on next year. He is a player that gets bums on seats to our games. Everyone loves him and you can see that when he goes near the ball and the sound the crowd makes. Although he didn't have a great year, he still played heaps better than most in our team this year.
6/10-only cause he didn't play all that many games.

Post by **Megan** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:59 pm

Marry me, James Hird.

Post by **Jazz_84** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:00 pm

been watching him all my AFL life and can't imagine it with out him, Thank you James you truely are a Champion of Essendon *stands up and applauds*

2006 wasn't his best, but still inspirational and you can be confident of a above par game every time. simply amazing to watch..... bottom line he still has it and im sooo happy he is playing in 2007

7/10

azza78 · Post by **azza78** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:13 pm

Injury robbed him (again), but in the games he played showed he is capable of sublime football. His skill level and football brain really stood out in a side that lacked both.

Great to see him play on in 2006. Is still the leader of this football club out on the ground, regardless of who has the 'C' next to his name. Stick up forward and let him wreak havoc alongside Lloyd, Lucas and Johns, and watch how potent our forwardline will be.

6/10, higher if he had played more games

billyduckworth · Post by **billyduckworth** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:34 pm

I hate to admit this, but at one stage in the middle of the year I was almost thinking it was time to retire, but then he came back and played SENSATIONAL in the Brissy game.

The man is an inspiration. It would be great to see him have an injury free season for once next year.

Hard to give a rating. 12/10 when he plays but since he missed so many games I suppose I'll reduce that to 10/10.

Ramanama · Post by **Ramanama** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 2:43 pm

6/10.... but still a CHAMPION!!!!!!!!! well done hirdy!

Kanech · Post by **Kanech** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 4:47 pm

SUPERSTAR

Sartorius · Post by **Sartorius** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 4:50 pm

Had a solid season when he could get on the park. Still inspirational, and i think everyone involved with essendon is glad he is playing one more season. Can teach the kids a lot about preparation, training etc.

6.5/10, great when given the chance, as usual

Naf Rebmob · Post by **Naf Rebmob** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:24 pm

Sol wrote:It is no coincidence he played in all of our wins.

Actually he didn't play in Round 1 when we beat Sydney - he was on the sidelines with Schumacher.

Still Jim is an absolute champ as everyone knows (even the clubs who hate us).

Even this year with very little opportunity he still managed to shine with brilliance!

Plan for future;
1) Locate fountain of youth & get some of that water to Jim ASAP
2) Get serious about 'Cloning' technology
3) Tom Hird?

84859300 · Post by **84859300** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:44 pm

It would be a waste for him to keep playing in 2007 without our draft being a hell of a good one, so that he can teach these kids a thing or two when he's still out on the park.

I have no doubt that in years to come that James will be a coach in some capacity. As has happened in the past, specialist coaches move to other clubs to gain experience, out of their comfort zone. Think TD, GOD, Neil Daniher, Harvey (to a point) have all moved to gain extra knowledge of the game. It could likely be 4 or 5 years that our Bombers might be without his services.........so get the most out of him now.

My hopes is that he has a great 2007, we make finals and put a few teams back in their place after a horror 2006.

All the best James.

antcl · Post by **antcl** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 6:07 pm

By Hird's standards, a poor season. By anyone elses, pretty good.

7/10

Reasons: Well, injury restricted him, but it will restrict most players his age, so that isn't why I'm downgrading here. The bigger reason for my mind is how damaging his opponents can now be, and how reduced the time he spends on the ground is.

He is still brilliant when he has the ball, and very inspirational. But he can't chase his man down at all, and in games I saw his man was often a key component of getting the ball out of defense easily, and giving run off the backline. He also spends a lot of time on the pine now, probably because he doesn't have the motor for a full game. Both of these factors mean although his impact is still big, there are definetely now drawbacks to having him in the team.

Should be good to watch next year, but can't help thinking from a development point of view he'd have been better off retiring.