Q. Is it good to be back?
A. Yes it has been good. All of the boys have welcomed me back during the week and I am slipping back into the old routine of preseason training.
Q. How nerve racking was the draft for you?
A. It was a little bit nerve racking listening to the Draft, but in the end it all turned out.
Q. How did you feel when your name was called out?
A. A little bit of relief. I really wanted to continue my career and was keen on making sure 2003 was a big one for myself. So I was relieved the ""limbo"" was over and I could get back into training.
Q. Does it feel like a second coming for you - the start of a new career?
A. Realistically I don't have many playing years left. This could be the last year or one more after that. So I have to look at it like that and put everything into it this preseason and next year.
Q. Did it cross your mind that this might have been the end?
A. You have to take in all of the scenarios, no matter how good or bad. I had to weigh up the options and I have a few things I am looking forward to doing after my career, but you are a long time retired. I want to maximise my opportunities while I am here.
Q. Has being delisted and then re-drafted made you appreciate your career more?
A. I think it has. It has made me realise that you are closer to the end than you were at the start.
Q. You could have been picked up by another club - how important was it for you to be re-drafted by Essendon?
A. I think it is always important when you have played at a club for so long. I have been here for 13 years and just the relationships you develop with not only your teammates, but also the people around the club. So to come back and further those relationships has been great.
Q. Have you copped a bit of stirring since you have come back?
A. Yes, a fair bit, but that is part and parcel of a footy club these days.
Q. After Essendon supposedly having ruck deficiencies, there is at least five prospective ruckmen at the club now - yourself, David Hille, Simon O'Keefe, Tristan Cartledge and Jason Laycock.
A. We have some tall timber here. It reminds me a bit of when I started in the early 90's with Peter Sommerville, Paul Salmon and Simon Madden. Hopefully these guys can develop like all the guys in the 90's and we will be right for a few years.
Q. Has Sheeds spoken to you about your role in really developing these young players?
A. I think as the preseason goes on, all of our roles during training will become more specific. So around Christmas and in the New Year, we will really find out what our role is during the year.
Q. What do you think your role will be?
A. Probably what it has been in the past - ball on the ball and change up forward and hopefully kick a few goals. I would say a lot more ruck work and helping the young guys develop.
Q. What about the role of developing the younger guys - is that something you would embrace?
A. Over the last few years I have really developed a feeling towards the younger guys, knowing how tough it was when I started. I have really tried to go out of my way to help the young guys and make them feel at home. Especially in the last couple of years with Hille coming on and Simon (O'Keefe) last year - I really try and give them a few tips. It is not only about their footy, but also outside footy and how to manage your time. I think that part of my football has really developed since I have got older. I look forward to later on maybe developing that side of my football career even more.
