Essendon champion James Hird says he likes the Bombers' willingness to take the game on and thinks the team is heading in the right direction.
""I think they are going well,"" he said to Bomber.tv today.
""I think they had a slow start and struggled early but probably the last six-seven weeks have been good until Geelong and they are not the only side that will be beaten by Geelong.
""Just the way they (Essendon) take the game on I really like. They've got their tackle count up and you can tell when a team is doing that they are doing alright.""
Hird pulled on the boots and trained with his former team at Windy Hill this morning to officially launch the 10-year anniversary celebrations of the 2000 Premiership (which will include the 2000 Premiership event with special tribute to Lloyd and Lucas at Crown on Sunday, 11 July).
Around 1,000 fans turned out to see his return with everyone agreeing the 2000 Premiership captain still has those legendary skills, despite missing one ball he went to mark.
""I found a hole which I fell in when I went for the ball, but none of the cameras caught it so I'll be ok,"" Hird laughed.
""It was great fun - it has been a long time since I kicked the footy like that.
""It was not an intense session but it was a bit of fun to kick the footy around.""
Hird said the 2000 Premiership team was so successful because of their tight bond.
""We had a good three years from 1999, we won one premiership in those three years,"" he said.
""We had some great players across all lines and played a brand of footy that was hard, led by a backline that was tough and won the contest everytime they went near the ball.
""Off that backline we were able to get it into our great forward line. We had a good group of players and got on really well.""
Coach Matthew Knights said it was great for the current players to have Hird train with them today.
""He looked ok, he keeps himself fit and it is great because James knows a lot of the playing list well,"" Knights said.
""It's great to have him back today and anytime James comes back he is well received.""
