Essendon great James Hird has expressed a strong interest in returning as the senior coach of the Bombers, stating that he wants the club to be “the best in the AFL again.” This declaration came on a day marked by the sacking of Brad Scott after his fourth year in charge. Hird, who was part of the Essendon team for 253 games, said on Tuesday night that he is ready to “pit my wares” against the best candidates in an “exhaustive process” to find Scott’s successor.
Hird, a 1996 Brownlow medallist, explained that his motivation stems from a desire to restore the Bombers to their former glory, comparing them to clubs like Geelong, Hawthorn, and Collingwood, which have achieved significant success since the turn of the century. He emphasized that the most important thing for him as an Essendon person is for the club to go through the most exhaustive process possible to find the best coach.
“If the club came to me and asked if I would be part of that process, I would definitely say yes. That is something I would love to be part of – pit my wares against the other coaches to find the best man for the job,” Hird said during an appearance on Footy Classified.
Hird also mentioned that he believes he is better placed to coach Essendon this time around, given his previous experience from 2011 to 2013 and part of 2015, despite the challenges posed by the drugs saga during that period. He was banned from coaching in 2014.
During the same interview, Hird drew parallels between his potential return and what motivated Eddie McGuire to become Collingwood president in the late 1990s. He described Essendon’s past as a benchmark in the AFL, with numerous premierships and a stable foundation. However, he acknowledged that the club is now far from that position.
“I put my hand up – I was part of the mistakes that were made at the Essendon Football Club back in 2011 and 2012. They were partly my fault,” Hird admitted.
The possibility of Hird returning as coach has sparked mixed reactions among fans. Some are excited about the prospect, while others remain skeptical. When asked if he had “unfinished business” at Essendon, Hird replied that it was more about selling hope rather than completing a specific task.
“Everyone says I haven’t done anything [in football lately]… Why not go and do a bit of research, you’ll see I’ve done a lot in football over the last three or four years, and it will make me a much better coach than I was back then,” Hird said.
After the announcement of Scott’s sacking, speculation about Hird’s potential return intensified. Former player Jordan Lewis, who was involved in the 2022 coaching selection, supported Hird’s chances. He praised Hird’s understanding of the game and his presentation skills.
Club legend Kevin Sheedy, who previously pushed for Hird over Scott, also expressed hope that Hird would get another chance. “I hope James Hird gets his chance and I know it depends on who does the interview, but he would do a great job,” Sheedy said.
Despite the support, Hird’s return would not be without controversy. His previous tenure at Essendon was marred by the supplements scandal, which led to his suspension in 2014. However, Hird has since taken on roles as an assistant coach at GWS and a director of coaching at Port Melbourne, while also appearing regularly on Channel Nine.
Tim Watson, a club great, also spoke about the push for Hird’s return on SEN. He noted that many people believe Hird could be the right person for the job, though he emphasized the need for a proper coach search.
Essendon president Andrew Welsh did not comment directly on Hird’s potential return, stating that the club is not ruling anyone in or out. “I am sure there will be a lot of people interested in this role,” Welsh said.
While the future remains uncertain, the discussion around Hird’s potential return highlights the ongoing desire for success and stability at Essendon. The club continues to seek a coach who can lead them back to their former glory.
