Reds stalwart Sean Hardman said the excitement he's feeling heading into the 148th Reds game of his career and the success the Reds have enjoyed in 2010 made his decision to sign on for one final season completely worthwhile.
After winning just three games in a disappointing 2009 season, Queensland Rugby's most capped player spent the immediate post-season period deliberating on whether he should return for another campaign.
That the Reds have reinvigorated rugby in Queensland in 2010 with their best showing since 2002 leaves 'Hardy' a happy man as he prepares for tomorrow (Saturday) night's Suncorp Stadium game against the Highlanders (kickoff 7:30pm).
With the Reds at long odds to make the semi-finals, tomorrow's game will definitely be the Hardman's and the Reds' last at Suncorp in 2010, if not the season.
"I'm really excited. It has been a few games since I've run-on and it's a home game. I can't ask for much more than that," said Hardman, who has played 122 Super Rugby games for Queensland among his 147 appearances so far.
"The decision to go around one more year, at the end of last year, has really paid off. I've really enjoyed watching this team evolve," Hardman said.
Win or lose, the Reds will finish with a positive win-loss ratio for the first time in eight seasons, while victories over competition heavyweights the Crusaders, Bulls and Stormers is a sign of the progress and growing confidence being built amongst the squad.
"With all the support we've been receiving this year, the right thing for us to do as a team, is get out there and finish on a good note," Hardman said.
"We've had a relatively positive season to this point and I know after the last couple of games, the guys want to prove a point.
"But all the boys have been really pumping my tyres this week. They keep reminding me it's my last training or my last week."
While Hardman has been forced to play from the bench the majority of the season because of the emergence of Saia Faingaa at hooker, the 33-year-old's presence and leadership at training and in games continues to be of the highest level.
"In more recent years I've tried to take on the role of setting a high standard and bringing guys through by setting an example with my own actions on the field and at training," he said.
Hardman earned his first Queensland cap against the Blues in 1999 and made his Super debut in 2000, against tomorrow's opponents, the Highlanders.
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