Dean Solomon today uttered some words that would have been music to the ears of all Essendon supporters. ""I'd love to stay at Essendon"". Most of us probably knew it - and if not at least assumed it - but nonetheless it was still very re-assuring. Solomon was speaking at a press conference prior to training at the MCG when he was asked about the fact that he was still to come to terms on a new contract with the Bombers. ""I'd love to stay here,"" Solomon said ""We've played in the last three or four finals series so it's obviously the club to be at.""

Solomon said he didn't have a problem with the fact that contract negotiations have been put on hold. ""Everything has been put on hold, which is a good thing for me,"" Solomon said. ""I can forget about it and I think there's about five or six of us in thesame boat - so we're sort of forgetting about it now and we'll deal with it when our season finishes.""

""Money's not a massive issue at all....Dean Wallis said he hasn't got a million dollars, but he has a million memories. It's a good club for that reason,"" Solomon said.