About James Hird

James Hird had an illustrious playing career with Essendon, and despite his involvement in the supplements scandal that has plagued the Bombers recently, is still regarded by many rusted-on fans as a legend of the club.

 

Hird’s playing career began in 1992, and despite an unfortunate early run with injuries, he began to stamp his mark on the club by the mid-1990s, beginning with patches of brilliance in Essendon’s premiership-winning season in 1993. He excelled under the coaching wisdom of Kevin Sheedy, playing as a ball-winning mid, but also given the license to drift forward as well as back. In 1996, Hird had his best individual season, winning the Brownlow medal.

 

Named captain in 1998, Hird went on another tough run with persistent injuries. But in 2000, all the injury troubles seem to have balanced out, with Hird leading his beloved Bombers to the flag, in a 60-point thumping of the Demons. This came off the back of a season of supreme dominance, in which the Bombers only lost one match all season. In the big dance, Hird was imperious, leading the ground with 29 disposals and also booting 2 goals on his way to picking up the Norm Smith medal.

 

Hird went on to play until the end of the 2007 season, in a career that continued to be punctuated by injuries. After his playing career, Hird expressed his desire to turn his hand to coaching, and there was only ever one team in his headlights. Assuming the head coaching position for Essendon in 2011, Hird had a successful first two years as coach.

 

However, the infamous revelation that Essendon Football Club were systematically doping its players throughout the 2011 postseason and 2012 season came as a massive shock to the AFL scene and admirers of Hird. While we have never found out the exact extent of Hird’s involvement, his refusal to accept responsibility and reported stonewalling left a bitter taste in the mouths of many in the Aussie Rules community. After serving a 12-month suspension, Hird returned to coaching in 2015, only to resign the same year following poor results.