Essendon captain James Hird tonight spoke exclusively to the BomberLand website about the injuries he sustained against Fremantle last weekend and a phone conversation he had with teammate Mark McVeigh - the player he collided with. ""I have spoken to Mark about what happened. He felt bad but I told him it wasn’t his fault. He knows that – it was just an unfortunate accident. I want him to put it behind him and play well on Friday night against Carlton,"" Hird said.

Hird was today released from hospital after undergoing major surgery to repair multiple facial fractures. He still hasn't been given medical clearance to return home. ""I’m feeling much better than I was 24 hours ago. They looked after me really well at the hospital and hopefully it won’t be too much longer before I’m able to return home,"" Hird said.

The Essendon champion said he could clearly recall the collision with McVeigh that occurred midway through the third quarter of last Saturday's match at Subiaco Oval. ""I can remember everything about the incident and I have seen it replayed on television. It is just one of those things that happen – there was nothing that could have been done to avoid it,"" he said.

""I want to get back and play as soon as possible. Obviously I need to make sure I am over the operation and everything has healed properly.""

Hird also paid tribute to Essendon supporters who have flooded the club's website with get-well messages. Late this afternoon the club had received well over 1200 emails. ""Essendon fans and people involved in football generally have been great. I’m told I have a pile of emails waiting for me at the club. Thanks to everyone.""