Hird had been ordered by the Essendon coaching panel to basically steer clear of Windy Hill during the pre-season in a bid to ensure he was in the right shape physically and mentally come January. Fitness staff are pleased with Hird's condition and the right on-going management might mean he plays another season, according to Sheedy.
""I'm not interested in this being James Hird's last year if he can play another year and he proves himself right,"" he said before training at Essendon Grammar this morning.
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Sheedy believes the former captain may have more than one more season left in him if used efficiently, which may see the former captain spending more time on the bench to conserve his career.
""Players these days, if they can use the interchange bench frequently it helps them later in their careers,"" he said.
""It's all about keeping your great players available and we've got to keep realising this in footy, not letting them retire too early when they've got maybe three-quarters of games in them, maybe half games in them, that are still great,"" he said.
""I think we've lost talent in the past too soon. We probably think you can't have a great player play half or three-quarters of a game, but we've got to open up our eyes and keep our vision spot on.""
Hird looked sharp during the 90-minute session, after training privately prior to Christmas.
""He’s been out doing his own training with a mate, you don’t need James Hird thrashing it out over November and December,"" Sheedy said.
""He will be terrific for us this year. I have no doubt it will be good and he knows it has been of benefit to him. We just want Hird to play every game that he can play.""
