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LEADER OF THE PACK
Essendon captain James Hird made a statement today – through actions not words. Hird looked in sensational shape when he recorded two fast times around Princes Park. Hird had an arthroscope on his knee post season, yet showed no signs of injury, running the time trial in the overall fastest time. The 29-year-old gave every indication to Bomber fans that he will again be dangerous in 2003, his 11th season with the club.
Essendon captain James Hird made a statement today – through actions not words. Hird looked in sensational shape when he recorded two fast times around Princes Park. Hird had an arthroscope on his knee post season, yet showed no signs of injury, running the time trial in the overall fastest time. The 29-year-old gave every indication to Bomber fans that he will again be dangerous in 2003, his 11th season with the club. ""Nothing ever surprises me with Hirdy, I expected him to run a good time, he always does. It is a great sign for the season ahead with him fit and firing already,"" fitness coach John Quinn said.
Another positive sign for Bomber fans was the performance of Andrew Welsh, rookie Scott Howard and 2002 Crichton medallist Mark Johnson in the 3.2km time trial. All three recorded fast times and finished at the top of the pack. Other good performers included Sean Wellman, Jason Johnson, Joe Misiti, Rob Forster-Knight and Cory McGrath. 2002 on-field improvers Mark Bolton, Damien Peverill and Danny Jacobs didn't participate in the time trial, instead rode bikes around Princes Park. Matthew Lloyd is still away on his honeymoon and also missed the time trial.
The team will compete in another time trial post Christmas and according to Jordan Bannister the winner of the 2001 time trial, he can't wait for the next race. ""It gets really competitive between the guys and you want to run well. I was disappointed I couldn't run today. I have been training with Scotty Howard and he ran the fastest time in the first time trial, so I knew I would be up there. I will just have to wait until the next one,"" Bannister said.
One face Essendon supporters haven't seen much of in 2002 is Dean Solomon - but don't despair Bomber fans, the boy from Broken Hill is back - fitter and stronger than ever and raring to go. Solomon started pre-season training on Monday. ""It is very exciting to get out there and run with the guys again - I obviously haven't done it for eight or nine months. It makes you look forward to Round 1 a lot more and you feel more apart of it,"" Solomon said.
