Essendon coach James Hird has been the most talked about Australian sporting figure in the last two years, despite not being in the country for one of them.
Some depictions of Hird present an unscrupulous character with no regard for anyone but himself; a selfish man who put a platoon of footballers at risk to win a flag.
This doesn’t sit well with the majority of Essendon supporters, as it is not the James Hird they know and love.
The James Hird that supporters remember is a heroic and highly skilled player who was picked up by Essendon at pick #79 in the 1990 draft.
Hird quickly created a reputation for being having a cool heads under pressure. Occasionally throughout his career the frustration would show, but with the ball in play, Hird appeared to be completely relaxed.
However, supporters will always remember Hird’s dying-seconds snap goal against West Coast in 2004, which resulted in one supporter getting the most unexpected surprise he will ever have.
The flow of emotion followed what was at the time one of the hardest times in James Hird’s illustrious career. He was known as a player of the highest integrity, always showing respect for this teammates and opponents.
Fast forward to 2013 when the scandal first broke, and James Hird once again managed to show his on-field cool, but in a different fashion.
With Hird’s reputation in tatters, many facets of the media and football community would rather he never returned. It was alleged that Hird was negligent with the men who put their trust in him. To rub salt in that wound, all attempts to clear the players from their charges were seen to be selfish attempts to be acquitted on a technicality rather than face the charges. It was a case of damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Despite the issues surrounding the club and intense media speculation, the majority of Essendon supporters backed Hird. A member of popular forum bomberblitz co-ordinated a “#standbyhird” campaign which trended on Twitter, saw thousands of placards handed out at a game, and many players contributing.
Social media was rife with support groups, hash tags and Facebook pages defending Hird. Instead of feeling like he had let their beloved club down, the supporters were quick to defend Hird, and memberships reached record heights.
In 2014 James Hird went to France to study business administration after being exiled by the AFL for 12 months for his involvement in the supplements scandal. His planned return once again sparked controversy, as did his decision to appeal the Federal Court’s ruling into the legality of the ASADA investigation, directly opposing the decision of the club. Once again, the wider community and large components of the media were quick to criticise Hird, and once again Essendon supporters rallied around him.
So we have two prevalent and very distinct views on who James Hird is. So who is James Hird? Why have supporters continued to hold him in hero status despite the issues surrounding the club? The answer lies in Hird himself, showcased by the way he goes about his business.
Throughout 2013, with the media camped at his doorstep, unable to even take his children to school without having to field questions, he kept his composure. As if he was kicking from the boundary in the dying seconds of a close game, Hird answered questions with honesty, integrity and respect.
Throughout the 2013 season Hird was clearly very passionate about coaching the team to wins, wearing his heart on his sleeve during close encounters, like the Round 3 upset over Fremantle. For a cool and collected man, Hird was always able to show us who he truly was when the pressure was lifted, donning his trademark grin as he congratulated the players and fellow game-day staff.
The morning after the AFL-imposed sanctions were handed down, a video went live on YouTube and Essendon’s club web site, clearly filmed in the living room at the Hird residence. What was shown was a tired and disappointed Hird, profusely apologising for what occurred at Essendon in 2012.
Hird stated “I should have known more [about the supplements program]” in a heartfelt three-minute apology, ending with a final apology for not continuing to fight. To Hird, this battle was synonymous with a game of football, where he repeatedly showed that he would not stop fighting until the final siren sounded.
Despite conceding this battle, Hird later assured supporters that the war was not over.
“I’ve been an Essendon supporter since I was born, it is part of my family. I don’t think I could ever step away from the Essendon football club,” he said.
“It’s part of who I am. It is part of who I’ll always be so I’ve got no intention of stepping away.
“When you love the Essendon footy club and it is part of your heart, you never step away.”
While his battle against the AFL has ended, his battle to elevate the Essendon Football Club back to the height of its glory days is ongoing.
Supporters see James Hird as a man who clearly knows what he wants and has a plan to get it. He isn’t without fault, conceding his own failures throughout 2012, but then who is perfect?
While there are opinions varying to each extreme regarding who James Hird is, supporters see Hird as a fighter who vehemently stands up for what he believes in.
rama
Guest
How is your blind eye andy? Still closed predictably of course. How has your day been?? still whinging. Wasting your days and night here when you know deep down if your hawks were in the same position, you would be defending your club. Cant have it both ways andy, then again you seem to want it both ways.
rama
Guest
So Davo you want to deny Hird natural justice?? Yes you do. So on that basis, Ih Hird did not take legal action your comment would have been' So hird doesn't appeal as he know's he is guilty and he stands no chance of winning his appeal. Problem is Davo, you just want to see your name in lights and tell the world you are right and everyone else is wrong. James Hird appealed because it is his legal right to do so. He also appealed as the case is flawed. Asada's own procedures and practices are flawed. So you don't want asada to change either. want your cake and eat it Davo.
Jacques of Lilydale
Guest
Geeezus Jeff, what are you smoking?
Jacques of Lilydale
Guest
How does Kyle reimers know nothing banned was taken, there were no records kept, or more likely were destroyed. David Evans fell on his sword, the only honourable administrator in this pariah of a club.
Jacques of Lilydale
Guest
Geeezus Dianne, you're Hird's spin doctor now? That's why a really good guy like David Evans resigned!!!
Aransan
Guest
JD, I am with Tim Watson on this -- if the players want Hird as coach then as a club supporter I am happy to go with the players. That support may have been conditional on the decision of the tribunal given on Tuesday. I would like to have seen Bomber Thomson continue as match day coach but it was difficult to find an appropriate role beyond that for him at the club.
JD
Guest
I thought the majority of EFC members wanted Mark Thompson. But the club did a 360 on that because of Hird's threats to sue the club he loves so dearly.
Clinton farr
Guest
Hird made front page of the West? Maybe editor is a bombers fan? We're they real tears or not? Commonsense prevailed in relation to the players. But Hird needs to take responsibility being person in charge otherwise every head coach around the world can plead ignorance about what is happening in their own sporting club.
Jakarta Jeff
Guest
Dear DontStandbyTurd, Your name tells us where you came from! James Hird is one of the most incredibly sincere, honest humans with the highest integrity. It's so sad that you have fallen to such a level that all you can see is what's underneath you.
Jakarta Jeff
Guest
Diane, well written, well sourced and very accurate. Thanks for your common sense reporting of relevant information. Sadly, it is missing in many others reports who comment in this forum.
Jakarta Jeff
Guest
Andy, Wait till Tuesday. Essendon players "Not Guilty!" Let's get on with the football and forget all this garbage you keep raking up.
Bill
Guest
I am probably naïve but injecting any substance (Legal or otherwise) into fit young men for the purpose of enhancing physical output is not a good look. To me, all the argument about who did or did not, what was or was not used, what is or is not legal and what can or can not be proven is all irrelevant. Those that were at the club at the time ought to have known how bad it looked (think about a mum sending her son of to a footy club with an expectation that he will be looked after). I can not see how the AFL, the club, supporters and the public can expect those that knew what was going on or should have known, can keep their positions, especially if it results in any players getting suspended for any games. No one in this has handled it well but I go back to my overriding point, INJECTING FOR THE PURPOSE OF PHYSICAL ENHANCEMENT DOES NOT LOOK GOOD. Before supporters scream that other clubs do it, they may, but you got caught. Its like defending a speeding ticket by saying everyone else does it, why pick on me.
davo
Guest
James Hird tells us that all will be clear when the TRUTH comes out. He then goes on to take legal action against evidence being used in a court of law?
Richard
Guest
Martin
Guest
Speculating about possible conversations between two people is something like what Sherlock Holmes would do. Have you ever thought about becoming a detective?
Jrod
Guest
He took a penalty!
Willie
Guest
Great article JP love it HIRDY is our Golden Boy HERO to all you haters jealousy is a Curse.
Bobbo7
Guest
If Hird agreed to it then that is enough for him to do the right thing and go. You can't say he is a great coach and great team man while at the same time arguing he ignorant of what was going on under his nose. He is the head coach! It was his job to know exactly what was going on
Bobbo7
Guest
Too late for a future coaching, that has been blown by allowing this drama to happen under his watch. Will the EFC faithful still stand by Hird as the players begin to sue the club? This could get very messy
Richard
Guest
Thankyou Aransan. I am sure that leaking and briefing against all parties (Hird, AFL, ASADA, and EFC) took place over the course of 3years and i am also sure that journalists took sides and potentially other clubs stirred the pot as well. I also think that the AFL commission and in particular its Chairman have been found wanting in their handling of this. I personally think that it is time for a change at the top of the commission - a fresh perspective so to speak. What really bugs me is that given the nature of the EFC situation, the fact that it is so complex, affects so many people (players first and foremost, staff, suppporters, AFL supporters) and that Australian sport has never faced such a major complex situation (NRL aside), that the mindset of the club (management not the players) the AFL, ASADA has been so adversarial. I don't profess to know the whole story even though I have read and read and read many articles, but a small part of me feels sorry for David Evans who I believed tried to do the right thing but was thrown under a bus. It is a great shame but I agree with you that the real story will never be known. It is a great shame that the EFC's history will include 'the supplement years' and that the competition as a whole has suffered. Irrespective of the outcome of the panel's findings in the next few days, no one comes out of this well.