CRAIG Bird spoke with sydneyswans.com.au about season 2010, how his injury is progressing and which team-mate impressed him the most...

It was a tough year for you with injury. What are your thoughts on your season?
It was a bit disappointing and frustrating not being able to get out there and contribute to the team, especially with the team making finals.

I was really looking for a big year to set myself up. I had a pretty good pre-season so it was disappointing not to have any real input during the year.

What was the highlight for you in terms of the team?
Just the ability to make finals again this year. I think we really bounced back well after a bit of a down year last year. And unearthing some new players was good, definitely a few of the younger boys, it gives us a pretty bright future with the guys coming through.

Who impressed you the most?
Definitely Ben McGlynn and Josh Kennedy, coming here from the Hawks. I think they’ve had a real impact on the team this year. And then a few of the younger boys such as Dan Hannebery, who was a real standout for me. Dan’s consistency at such a young age, to be able to perform week in and week out was a good effort and he stamped himself as a quality midfielder. And with Ben McGlynn, just his work rate and how hard he trains and plays, makes him standout too.

What are your goals next year?
Just getting back to playing like last year and building on my fitness level again and being able to have a real impact next year.

What is the state of your stress fracture in your foot?
I’ve got to have a scan in a couple of weeks. It’s been a while since I’ve played so hopefully it has fully healed and I can go forward from there and come up with a program for next year.

What are you doing in the break?
Just going back up to Nelson Bay and going off to Bali for a week which should be good. Taking it easy. I hope when I come back in eight weeks the foot is right to start running.