Essendon captain James Hird is expected to cap off a fairytale return to football by being made captain of the All Australian team.

The announcement will be made at tonight's guernsey presentation and Hird is expected to get the nod ahead of Carlton's Craig Bradley.

It completes a remarkable return to football for Hird who just 12 months ago was suffering from a career-threatening foot injury.

The All Australian captaincy would sit nicely with Hird's Premiership Medallion and Norm Smith Medal.

A hamstring tear late in the season arguably cost him the Brownlow Medal.