Paul Salmon played 14 games for the Bombers this season and Kevin Sheedy has said on a number of occasions that the Bombers would have struggled to make the finals without the 37-year-old. The question on most Essendon supporter’s lips at the moment is will the Bomber veteran play on next season. “I haven't discussed with Paul whether he wants to play on. It is up to him and our CEO Peter Jackson to have discussions. We have been extremely happy with Salmon's performance this year. The deal in the end is that I haven't spoken to Paul Salmon and seen how his body has come up. More than likely he is going to have to have a shoulder operation. I would say that when you look at our predicament, we are still reeling from that draft which Essendon was excluded from three or four years ago. That first and second round draft choice, we probably could have picked up a Rhett Biglands - I think he was a second round draft choice. That is the sort of hurt it can get you two or three years later on,"" Sheedy said on Channel 7 news this evening.

Q. How much of advantage did Port Adelaide have playing on home soil?
A. Our aim was to be level or a little bit ahead at three quarter time particularly over there in Adelaide to shut down their home crowd advantage. Losing Bolton and Gary Moorcroft didn't help us on the night. Port Adelaide ended up on top and they deserved to get their final over there. It is a hard task now to go to Brisbane.

Q. Who do you think will play off in the grand final
A. I think the Lions will probably play Adelaide in the Grand Final if Adelaide can get through the game against Melbourne. I think they are the two strongest teams at the moment. I think Adelaide were pretty impressive against Melbourne on Saturday night.

Q. Do you consider Adelaide to be a real chance to win the premiership?
A. They have to win this week against Collingwood, but what they have done so far indicates they are a real chance. They have been on the road and they are getting accustomed to being on the road - they have won two premierships, so some of their best players now how to win away in finals.

Q. Will you be looking to draft mid-fielders?
A. I thought when Mark Johnson came into the centre square late in the game, he really gave us a lift. We could look at him up the field and I think Joel Reynolds played nine games this year could also play in the centre - he has a lot of speed. I think that we have a couple of players that could play in the mid-field. We also have a forthcoming game in London against Richmond where I will try out some of our young players. This match coming up in London is going to be very, very important to which young players want that opportunity. We will also put probably a dozen senior players in that match.

Q. Was Hird fully fit in the final against Port Adelaide?
A. I think in Hird's case he hadn't been able to train much with the team for the past two weeks. It was just great to get him out there. I thought Hird showed a lot of courage in that last quarter. I felt he changed the game for Essendon and gave us a lot of opportunities to have a few shots at goal that might have changed the result of that game.

Q. The AFL has asked for a please explain from Gary Ayres. What are your thoughts on the situation?
A. As long as coach doesn't touch a supporter. We saw that we David Parkin a few years ago. I always give the coach the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes if a person makes a very ordinary, derogatory remark at you - I would think just to look at them and tell them to be careful and move on. I have been walking up and down to the ground, through the spectators for years and sometimes you just have to cope some of the criticism.