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James Hird owes Essendon an AFL premiership this year, or at least a grand final appearance. Anything less and the coach will have failed.
Hird has confirmed he will consider High Court action, saying the players and officials charged over the club’s supplements scandal have been afforded fewer rights than the average citizen.
Hird has said his two failed Federal Court challenges against the joint AFL-ASADA investigation into the Bombers’ 2011 supplements program have been costly. But he continues to defend his legal action, saying the aim has been to help create a fair system for the players.
The High Court is his last option.
Pursuing court action is Hird’s right, but even if he is 100 per cent in the right, has he the right to make the club and its fans secondary to what he perceives as an injustice?
Essendon has been in turmoil for two years while indulging Hird, guaranteeing him the coaching position, and allowing him an overseas studying sabbatical.
If Hird really believes there is a great principle at stake, and he is seeking justice for the club and its players, he could have pursued justice while stepping down as coach for the greater good.
As it stands, the Bombers are weeks away from the start of the season and should be concentrating on preparation without the continuing attendant dramas.
Hird couldn’t get Essendon to the finals in his previous stint as coach. If he gets them to the big one this year he will deserve to be ranked with the great coaches, like Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson.
Already a multiple premiership winner with Geelong, the departed Thompson has received insufficient credit for one of the great coaching achievements in any football code last year. To take Essendon to the finals amidst all the turmoil roared 200-decibel volumes for his force of character and man management.
It’s a daunting standard to match.
For Hird, on-field actions will speak louder than court words.
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