Essendon captain James Hird has given the strongest indication yet that he wants to play beyond season 2005, providing his body is handling the rigours of AFL football. And if that is to be the case, Hird says it might not be as captain. It was an open and honest Hird who spoke the media before training at Manly Oval this afternoon.

""I hope I can play here for as long as I possibly can. It is good the club has got the faith in me to start talking about playing another year or two. We will see what happens because at my age you take it a year at a time,"" Hird said.

""I think it’s fantastic that the club has faith in me and wants me to keep playing. My mind is just on playing and seeing what happens but I would love to keep playing as long as my body allows me to.

""I don’t think you can afford to look too far in advance because if you do, you don’t live in the moment.""

Hird said he enjoyed his role as captain but hinted that the time in that position may be drawing to a close. He anointed champion full forward Matthew Lloyd as his successor.

""I definitely don’t have to be captain to keep playing. I think there are a lot of terrific leaders around here and sooner or later I won’t be captain and if I’m not it doesn’t phase me,"" Hird said.

""I love the job but the time is almost near … one of the other boys needs to step up and I think Lloydy is looking fairly good for that. I don’t think it is too far away for him.

""I think he is going to be a terrific for this club. It’s not my decision, it’s the club’s decision, but he is doing stuff to make himself ready for it if the job does come his way.""