Q. Second week in and didn't they look after you last Sunday playing indoors given it was so cold outside.
A. Yes, that was very kind of them. I am sure that was part of their planning last year when they put in their request for games. I suppose it was not a bad way to come back into league footy - playing sides that are having trouble with injuries and their form so far. It has allowed me to get back into the tempo of AFL 2002 style.
Q. Paul, you kicked your first goal in Essendon colours for seven years last weekend - that must have felt good?
A. I did get a bit excited with the fist in the air - I am not going to hold back expressing myself. I really enjoy my footy and when you retire, if nothing else it makes you realise how much you love participating in the game. Not that I definitely wanted to get back into it when Sheeds approached me it is just that when I made the decision, one of the things I promised myself is that I was going to enjoy it. I thought it was only fitting considering people can't think I can kick over 30m - I kicked this one from outside 50m!
Q. Kevin Sheedy has indicated they may rest you in coming weeks. Have you actually sat down with Sheeds and worked out how many games you expect to play?
A. I would expect to be rested in coming weeks - it depends how much time I am putting into the matches. Against St.Kilda last weekend, I played two and a half quarters and there was no real need to bring me back on given the status of game at three quarter time. Sheeds when he asked me to comeback - we discussed in a perfect world what might the scenario be and we spoke about playing a few and resting - so I am open to it. I am very open minded at the moment but if I could string four or five games together and average about three quarters a game, I think there is probably cause for a break, given that I want to be fresh and firing at the business end of the year.
Q. In a perfect world you would like to play every game - you have said you are excited about playing again. At this stage of your career - you don't want to watch too many. You are comfortable with missing some games?
A. I would love to play every game but I am trying to be realistic and I think Sheeds is too. I haven't played for 20-months and I am 37 and the role I play is pretty physical one and I am just keeping an open mind towards it. I would love to think I could play every game but there might be a time when I have to take it easy. We just have to judge it on a weekly basis.
