If Paul Salmon thought his return to Windy Hill would be smooth sailing he is sadly mistaken. Salmon's good mate and assistant coach Mark Harvey has started the sledging already and he has worded up a few of the Essendon yougsters. ""He has got to remember he was picked up with selection 50 so he won't have much clout around here when he walks through the door,"" Harvey laughed. ""He will have to re-establish himself. The biggest decision is whether he will wear a number in the 50s or the 60s.""

Harvey has already suggested to Salmon that after speaking with Aaron Henneman, the number three guernsey could be his. ""I haven't spoken to Aaron at all,"" Harvey said. ""I can't wait for Fish to walk up to him and thank him for letting him have his old number three back. I just hope I see it when it happens.""

And Harvey added that the Essendon players are queueing up to have a crack at Salmon for missing the first week of pre-season. ""He was away this week because it was his 15th wedding anniversary. We have some blokes around here who aren't much older than 15. They are going to have some fun with that one,"" Harvey said.