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It’s a case of deja vu this weekend for the Essendon Football Club. They are getting ready for another game of footy, this time at the start of a new season and yet the supplements and poor governance issue is still hanging around.
The club have been determined since James Hird received his suspension and his controversial 12-month payment as part of that penalty to move on until he returns as coach and try and have a good season on the field.
However, team Hird, James and wife Tania refuse to let the matter die and ensure it remains in the public sphere.
Last night, Tania appeared on 7:30 on ABC TV and continued to accuse outgoing AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou of tipping off Essendon about ASADA conducting an investigation into allegations the club was using banned substances and supplements on their players in 2011 and 2012.
Why can’t they move on? James Hird will be paid for his suspension, which at the time raised many eyebrows. But it seems to be all about trying to keep what’s left of his once squeaky clean image intact.
As we all know, Hird was portrayed as Essendon’s favourite son, the golden child and the saviour when appointed coach for the 2011 season. As has been discussed many times, that seemed to weigh on his mind. He felt compelled to succeed as a senior coach just as he did when he was a player. He felt he needed to adopt a ‘whatever it takes’ attitude.
Last night’s interview by Tania Hird means the Bombers are in damage control again as they prepare for a big game to begin 2014 under interim coach Mark Thompson. I wonder how he felt when he heard Tania had aired more on this controversial story which continues to plague and damage the Dons.
Andrew Demetriou is on his farewell tour of the AFL until the end of the season, so other than trying to clear their name and feel better about themselves, what did Tania Hird have to gain by consenting to this chat with 7.30?
She might have thought that it might force the AFL’s hand and make Demetriou resign immediately. In media interviews today, especially one on ABC Radio, he has steadfastly denied he tipped off then Essendon president, David Evans, about this investigation.
I know it’s easier said than done, but the Hirds have to find a way to move on from this. The Essendon players, more than any group involved in this, have suffered enough. They deserve a fresh start to try and win some football matches without having these distractions.
At the end of the day, you can only perform with backs against the wall for so long. Essendon and James Hird know that from last year.
If Hirdy loves the club like he says he does, let Bomber and the boys get on with trying to win games of footy.
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