The football world is still yet to learn James Hird’s fate.
Following a special board meeting at the Essendon Football Club’s Tullamarine headquarters this morning Hird emerged saying he was still the coach.
A short time later chairman Paul Little saying, “James Hird is the current coach of the Essendon footy club. I think the Essendon fans would rather have deliberation around this rather than a quick knee-jerk reaction”.
If social media is anything to go by we are starting to get the impression that Bomber fans simply want this all over and done with.
At this stage Little says the board will reconvene early next week to discuss the matter further.
So it is steady as she goes at present for a club that struggling to stay afloat.
The sticking point is no doubt Hird’s move today to have his legal counsel lodge an appeal to the Federal Court over the verdict delivered by Justice John Middleton last month that firmly validated ASADA’s investigation into the club’s radical conditioning program in 2011-12.
Last night was an intriguing one for the club and its fans.
Chairman Paul Little told the Essendon faithful at its best and fairest awards last night – an event that Hird did not attend – that, “We are of the strong belief that if there is no appeal, the show cause process will recommence immediately and both ASADA and the AFL will undertake to move with as much expedition as possible. It is now time to accept the Federal Court’s decision and move on.”
The mood in the room at the clubs awards night did not bode well for Hird with neither Little nor stand-in coach Mark Thompson mentioning his name at all during their addresses.
Thompson was feted by the audience with chants of “Bomber, Bomber, Bomber” ahead of a protracted, and at times rambling, 17-minute speech.
During his monologue he stated that “You don’t want to backwards in this world” – clearly alluding to the fact that if Hird was retained as senior coach he was not keen on going back to his previous position as his chief assistant.
Yesterday morning also saw another AFL coach axed with Gold Coast sacking Guy McKenna despite him having a year to run on his contract.
That started a beating of the drums in AFL circles about Thompson perhaps heading north to take over at the Suns.
It was expected by many that the hastily convened board meeting this morning would once and for all seal Hird’s fate but it has transpired that a definitive answer is yet to be reached.
If Hird is sacked next week it would seem totally predicated on his decision to continue on his legal crusade against ASADA and not, on face value, a recognition that his role in the scandal at the club made his position untenable for had that been the case the club could have cut him adrift a long time ago.
So, in essence, the board would remove Hird not by virtue of his role in what an internal review stated was a “disturbing picture of a pharmacologically experimental environment never adequately controlled or documented within the club”, but because he failed to say, like the club, enough is enough.
But what of Thompson going from caretaker to full-time head coach should the axe fall on Hird?
Little says it is time for the club to move forward.
However, is it truly doing that by appointing Thompson, a man who was fined $30,000 by the AFL for his role in the club’s doping scandal, to the top job?
It was actually Thompson who recommended that Essendon employ high-performance boss Dean Robinson who in turn introduced controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank – the man at the centre of the doping investigations in the AFL and NRL – to the club.
Whilst the buck finally stopped with Hird as head coach with regard to the practices his football department adopted, Thompson was also a key in the whole decision making process.
As it currently stands the majority of key players during the time the club operated its spurious conditioning program – chairman David Evans, CEO Ian Robson, football manager Danny Corcoran, Hird, Robinson and Dank – have all moved on for various reasons.
The only two that remain are Thompson and long-time club doctor Bruce Reid.
Throughout the past 20 months James Hird has failed to truly take responsibility for the plight that the club still finds itself in.
So many of his utterances have been about how he feels sorry for the players yet in many ways he has simply prolonged their agony by pursuing action through the court system.
With respect to what transpired at the Bombers in 2011-12 the buck stopped with Hird.
In giving evidence to the Federal Court last month he said that he disagreed with the past two club chairmen’s handling of the saga, stating that he did not believe the club should have self-reported its concerns over its supplements program and also said that some of the facts in the internal review conducted by Ziggy Switkowski “weren’t accurate”.
He continues to fight but it many ways it appears it is more about him and his reputation than the good of the players and the club.
As a player, Hird ranked with the best – two premierships (one as captain), Brownlow and Norm Smith medals, five club best and fairest awards, five All-Australian teams and a member of the AFL Hall of Fame after a 253-game career.
In 2002 – five years before Hird retired – Essendon named its top-25 players of all-time.
Hird was ranked number three behind Dick Reynolds and John Coleman.
For all he achieved on the field for the Bombers his legacy has been tarnished immeasurably by his actions during the darkest period in the club’s history.
It is always said that the club is bigger than the individual.
For the past 20 months James Hird has in many ways failed to live by that creed.
It remains to be seen whether or not he withdraws his legal appeal. That may well be the issue that he has been left to ponder over the weekend.
Surely, it he fails to do so the club will in an untenable position.
The board’s desire to move forward – a position supported now by the player group – cannot happen if Hird continues to involve himself in a protracted legal stoush to clear his name.
So, we sit and await the latest instalment in this Blue Hills-like soap opera.
mcmanpp
Guest
I agree with you. But my agreement ends with your 3rd sentence; after that, you then went on to broaden the statement; it was from that point on that I took issue. Ps. do you have residual issues against school teachers who serve the community so well?
Bocky
Guest
Correct Super Sleuth. I don't work in HR and I am not an employer. And while we are at it, I would never use the description "failed to grasp the issue" unless I was a teacher marking an exam paper. It is fairly demeaning and serves no purpose. My point is that Essendon's current grounds for termination of Hird cannot be that he has doubts about the legality of the joint ASADA AFL investigation and wishes to exercise his appeal rights. A dismissal for that reason, surely would create civil liberty issues and open Essendon to costly wrongful dismissal proceedings.
mcmanpp
Guest
Bocky, those of us who have followed the conversation on The Roar for the last two years know that the question of Hird’s dismissal was in fact canvassed here both immediately following the Feb 5 press conference and even more so after the Switosksi report became public. Numerous contributors were surprised that Hird wasn’t dismissed on the spot; certainly in many, many other fields of employment, the door would have been held open for Mr Hird to exit through without much difficulty. But a football club is a very singular place to work, and the issue of Essendon not dismissing Hird there and then – well, that ship has sailed. Your comment “Hird has done nothing wrong in recent times that could allow Essendon to dismiss him” tells me you are not an employer. Your comment that “he has all the qualifications and pedigree to make a great coach” tells me you do not work in human resources, either. Your comment he has used his time suspended “to better himself educationally” tells me you have knowledge of the course Hird undertook and how he acquitted himself: please share. Your comment “What is the problem here?” tells me you have failed to grasp the issue at the heart of the matter: the AFL, ASADA, Essendon FC and related parties are tackling the discovery process of whether the first case in Australian sporting history of organised doping violations has occurred, and one contracted person, Mr James Hird, has arguably done as much as a single person is capable of to delay, deflect and avoid the conclusion of this process, to the detriment of his employer. Yes, I believe there are grounds for dismissal NOW.
Stephen
Guest
How does double jeopardy apply here? Double jeopardy is the principle that you can't be tried again for a crime you have been previously found not guilty of. Bloody Backyard Lawyers.
Don Freo
Guest
Hardly. You don't demonstrate that 'superior' knowledge, Stephen. You do demonstrate an urgent determination to perpetuate a tone of anger and aggression. Who knows why. That's the problem with backyard lawyers...they advertise a bankruptcy of knowledge. Far better to just wait for things to find their own way. The communal nastiness of the feral few will not resolve anything apart from advertise their own poverty when it comes to the niceties of life. I think I'll remove this thread from my feed now. I keep reading for thoughtfulness and only get emptiness.
Stephen
Guest
What is the test for TB4? There can be no positive test because you can't test for it.
Stephen
Guest
Didn't compare Armstrong to Hird......I compared YOUR observation of dignity and integretity in Hird as similar to the way Armstrong was viewed..........The point is that people may not always be as we SEE them. The facts will tell us if he has dignity and integrity NOT the way YOU SEE him. As for slander, at least I know the subtle differences between libel and slander.
Don Freo
Guest
To compare Armstrong to Hird is pretty slanderous in its own right. Do you have any grounds for that craziness?
Don Freo
Guest
On the money here, Bocky. Double jeopardy is not acceptable anywhere.
Bocky
Guest
Essendon should not terminate Hird because he is pursuing legal avenues to protect his own reputation and future earnings. Everyone has that right. To sack someone because they appealing a decision of any legal jurisdiction would seem to be bullying by an employer. Whoever at Essendon decided to show restraint in this matter is a genius, because Hird has done nothing in recent times that could allow Essendon to dismiss him? He has all the qualifications and pedigree to make a great coach. Hird has served his suspension as imposed by the AFL and used that time to better himself educationally, the benefits of which will then flow on to Essendon. What is the problem here? Why would dismissal be warranted now, when it wasn't 14 months ago?
Stephen
Guest
Lance Armstrong came across as having dignity and integrity......he even had the front to sue people for slander/libel. Now he is facing perjury charges for evidence he gave.
Dean
Guest
One organisation ruled in the best interests of the organisation. The other ruled in the best interest of a self-interested favourite son. I left the country two years ago and it seems like absolutely nothing has changed. Everybody knows they're guilty of taking a substance that they took the word of the doctor was fine, without doing their own due diligence (as the anti-doping law requires them to do). Turns out that they probably took something on the banned list and need to be punished. All the rest is legal garbage to save face here and there, but all it's done is drag every name through the mud for two years. Watson's Brownlow is tainted, Hird will be remembered as a ego-maniac who put himself above his club and all these players have had to struggle through a very difficult period of time and stil haven't actually been punished yet. So much of this was completely unnecessary for something that the club even admits was completely out of control. Hird wants to be coach, but not responsible for anything and the club refuses to let the buck stop with Hird in case it upsets him.
Redb
Roar Guru
AR, Simply no. Hird has stated clearly he believes no PEDs were administered. However, we are talking about circumstantial evidence involving a highly suspected sports scientist and his time at Essendon. If ASADA gained evidence unlawfully that circumstantially links the players to banned substances then they are a risk of wrongful findings. If you believe you are innocent and the players are innocent you use every advantage possible to thwart a wrongful finding. But of course that concept is about freedom and democracy and has no place on the Roar.
Redb
Roar Guru
AR, You are wrong on the players most support Hird. Legal opinion is just that, EFC were given advice that an appeal would have a good chance, nothing certain in any appeal there is always a big risk. The club and players are fatigued and I think initially thought hird's appeal will just delay the whole ASADA process. It was a bit kneejerk by Little & the Board, they have seen the light as i wrote they would last Friday. Hird has every right to appeal and it is likely to be heard fairly quickly. of course ASADA are free to reissue the SCN immediately and show their evidence. I sense ASADA and the AFL for that matter would prefer a Cronulla like deal be done. This is not acceptable. ASADA will have to prove their case. Like it or not this has a long way to run yet.
Curious
Guest
Casper, as already stated above, there seems to be ample evidence of players wishing Lord Jim not to proceed. Quote: “The players welcome the club’s decision (not to appeal) and urge ASADA if it indeed intends to issue amended show-cause notices to do so as a matter of urgency,” (AFLPA Chief Executive) Marsh said. source: https://au.sports.yahoo.com/afl/news/article/-/25158525/dons-distance-themselves-from-hird/ Casper, implicitly this means the players do not welcome Lord Jim's decision to continue pursuing a legal appeal.
Strapon1
Guest
Hird is a sinking ship and he is trying too take everyone with him he should quit for the good of the game he is slowly destroying essedon the afl and every other club in the comp the worst of it is he is listening to his wife who is a lawyer and we all know how good they are in modern times bombers should sack him and the afl should have banned him for life stop giving this bloke headlines and the old adage might come true ignorn it and it might go away I hope asada hang this bloke up and Make a example out of him so this doesn't happen again
ashleyl
Guest
I would think both clubs got equally good legal advice GI.....given the numbers being thrown around cost wise. I think the difference boils down to the way each club took and dealt with that advice,,,,one was stubborn, hubris driven and unable to see their own failings...whilst another took the less sanctimonious but more pragmatic route.
Col in paradise
Guest
Actually although I think Hird should have walked himself a long time ago due to mis managment and incompetance as a Head coach and take some responsibility I sometimes think let him stay and Coach..I think he will be a crap coach...being a great player doesnt make you a good coach....he is so about himself I think he will be a lousy coach.....and Essendon deserve that
Col in paradise
Guest
Actually although I think Hird should have walked himself a long time ago due to mis managament and incompetance as a Head coach and take some responsibility I soemtimes think let him stay and Coach..I think he will be a crap coach...being a great players doesnt make you a good coach....he is so about himself I think he will be a lousy coach.....
Casper
Guest
It has been reported that the senior players don't want Hird to proceed, but I haven't read a comment about it from an actual player. You are right about the nastiness. I find it strange that some journos are salivating at the prospect of Hird being sacked.