But sitting in front of the media throng today he looked like a man comfortable with his lot in life. He isn’t bitter about things that have gone wrong with his body and if he walked away now he would be happy with what he has achieved. He was relaxed although disappointed with the team’s performance in the past three weeks.
For a man so intense and so private, today was as open and honest as any have heard the Essendon captain, particularly in front of the cameras. For the first time he spoke of the doubts that entered his mind following the recurrence of his foot injury in 1999 – for a moment, albeit fleeting, he thought it might just be over.
He spoke about his best games, his greatest triumphs, his teammates and his coaches. But most often he referred to his family and the support they have given him. His wife Tania has had a bigger impact on his football than the man who will coach him from start-to-finish, Kevin Sheedy. The best thing about a game of football win, lose or draw is going home to the kids when the day is done.
And Hird is genuine when he refers to ‘home’ – he has done so time and again during his career. And it is one of the reasons retirement doesn’t phase him. The question was asked: ‘When will the end come?’ The answer: ‘When myself, Kevin Sheedy and Peter Jackson decide it does but it doesn’t frighten me in the least.’ Home is the anchor – the rest is all trimming.
You wouldn’t have got the same impression from the young kid who arrived at Windy Hill from Ainslie Football Club in Canberra more than 13 years ago. AFL football was his first love and all that mattered. He was driven and those around him knew big things were in the offing from day one. The journey so far has gone almost to plan.
Hird has literally grown up around football. Perhaps the captaincy ensured that evolution was complete. Leadership didn’t come naturally but he has evolved into one of the best in the business both on and off the field. And the coach has steered him in the right direction as well – there is more to life than football.
It doesn’t mean Hird’s frame of mind is any different when he crosses the white line or his preparation is any less meticulous. But watching him today you get the feeling he is enjoying it more than ever. The game has been put in perspective. As he said, ""I understand it better now than I ever have.""
And sitting in the Hall of Fame with the media packed around him, it is obvious that his impact to this football club is, and will remain, in perspective. He is a champion and as far as 200-game milestones go this will be as sweet as any.
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