Essendon broke its NAB Cup duck with a win against the Sydney Swans on Friday night, but it was the efforts of Courtenay Dempsey and Jason Winderlich that really brought a smile to James Hird's face.
The pair played in the same team for the first time since round four of last season, when they both ruptured their left anterior cruciate ligaments, and Hird was effusive in his praise of the duo whose absence was felt deeply last year.
The pair played in the same team for the first time since round four of last season, when they both ruptured their left anterior cruciate ligaments, and Hird was effusive in his praise of the duo whose absence was felt deeply last year.
""Jase played a half tonight and did some really nice things defensively with his pressure, but Jason is a really good leader for us out on the ground and we missed his leadership when he got injured last year,"" Hird said after the two-point win.
""We missed his play and his brilliance and his speed, but probably the biggest thing we missed was his leadership out on the ground, so it's good to have him back.
""Courtenay has got exceptional talent and I think the knee [injury] has taught him a lot about the game and life too. Courtenay is a vastly more mature man right now than when I came into the club 18 months ago.
""To Courtenay's credit he's worked very hard on his life, not only his knee, and I think that we're seeing a guy coming into some good football and I hope he stays injury free, because he'll get that if he does.""
Hird was pleased with several aspects of the Dons' evening, punctuated by star performances from Jobe Watson and Paddy Ryder, but admitted his side still ""leaked a few goals"" at times.
Despite missing out on the NAB Cup match against St Kilda last weekend, Hird remains confident his fitness staff has his players well-placed for the start of the premiership season.
""We think we'll be fine by round one ... that's what's important for us,"" he said.
""We think we'll time our run reasonably well but we won't know until we play North Melbourne on Saturday night in about three weeks.""
The coach also made special mention of the efforts of Ryder, who booted four goals and was instrumental late in the win.
""The way he's embraced his pre-season he's decided 'this is my time and I'm going to take it on',"" he said.
""He's another one who has matured greatly in the last 18 months. They were young kids when we got here and 18 months later I've been really happy with that maturity.""
