With all the drama that the Essendon football club has been through in the past few years, right or wrong, foolish or not, one thing you had to admire was the way the players, the club, and in particular the members and fans, have stuck solid behind coach James Hird.
And I suppose considering all the club has been through, you would expect that the coach would be given some sort of leniency when it comes to results as well.
But, regardless of results right now, something has to change at Essendon.
They need a new beginning.
I don’t care what he has done for that club. I don’t care that he is their favourite son, or that the players are coming out and saying they want him as the coach.
Of course the players are going to say that. Imagine if one comes out and says the opposite, and Hird continues to coach – now that would be uncomfortable.
Just two wins since Round 5, and in that time some embarrassing losses, the season’s worst coming on the weekend when they were humbled by 19 goals against Adelaide.
Hird was spot on after the loss when asked about his future.
“I think I can do it (coach), but that doesn’t mean everybody else does.”
And I’d imagine the majority don’t.
I noticed even Leigh Matthews threw his dollar’s worth in on the weekend.
“You have to be asking … what’s going on in the environment around Essendon and therefore what is James Hird contributing or not contributing?” Lethal said on Channel Seven.
“Every now and again in footy clubs you need a fresh start. The senior coach’s role is really the only thing you can do in a footy club that gives you fresh air to have a new beginning.”
Whether the players think it or not, they need that new beginning, that fresh start, the fresh air.
There is more baggage at the club than at Heathrow.
Five wins in 19 matches. Some may argue for the Gold Coast, but I really think it’s no contest, considering their roster, when it comes to the biggest underachievers of 2015.
But as Hird said, a review is underway, he is not part of it, but he will wait and see if it’s decided that the job remains his.
My head says it won’t be, but somehow, my gut is telling me Hird will be there again in 2016.
But back to footy matters, specifically teams who will be playing in September and teams whose coaches will definitely be there next season.
There’s been a couple of matches that I have truly looked forward to in 2015, most involving Hawthorn, but I honestly can’t wait for the final game of next week’s round, the Western Bulldogs against the West Coast Eagles.
The Western Bulldogs will not only look to show their legitimacy as a premiership contender, but to secure a top-four finish.
Yet again the Dogs flexed their newfound muscle as they swatted away a feeble opponent, this time beating Melbourne by 98 points, a week after beating Port by 10 goals, and having beaten Essendon by 87 the week earlier.
Now they head to Perth, and while they have beaten Sydney in Sydney, and Richmond and the West Coast in Melbourne, this really is their acid test.
The Eagles are flying – pardon the pun – having proved beyond doubt yesterday that Western Australia really does have two genuine flag candidates in 2015.
And the way they have bullied so many sides on Subiaco this season, it looks like an imposing task for the Dogs on Sunday, but as I wrote last week, they have something about them, and I like it a lot.
Come through next Sunday as winners, and a top four berth will be theirs for the taking, and it won’t be only the Bulldogs supporters who are true believers.
Josh
Expert
Yeah you're right... what was I thinking.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Anthony, well..Hird's gone. I think I said Hird should have gone. I thought it was despicable they re-signed him and I stand by that statement. In no other busienss or even AFL club would he have survived this. Essendon is a very unique situation.
Anthony Maguire
Guest
I'll bet you said that in 2013 Jack. In fact I'm certain you did. And again, this time last year! I see a pattern emerging. Will this continue for the next 10 years until Hird finally goes? Your obsession with him would be flattering if it weren't so creepy.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Very insightful. what colour? Also, you must be stalking me
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
His best mate Evans for a start.
Paul
Roar Rookie
Illegal ?!, tell me again what have they found to be illegal ?????
Paul
Roar Rookie
Maybe he does, obviously a man with an air of independence, having said that, you sound like a moped type of guy ?,
Paul
Roar Rookie
People like you love a saga, tell me again who has Hird burned slosh ?.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Is it me or does anyone else think Don drives a purple valiant?
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
The doctor? If he did his job there wouldnt be a saga. Hird has burned everyone involved to save himself. Thats not honour
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
I would love to see the AFL tell WADA where to get off. Im sure the answer would be Tullamarine
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Paul Little?
James Higham
Roar Rookie
BS - Geelong sourced from a company connected with Dank a legal medicine. The illegal started at Essendon.
James Higham
Roar Rookie
As a Geelong supporter, I say keep Hird and Little, plus the entire list as it is.
Paul
Roar Rookie
Think again Frank, a few blokes sailed off into the sunset, only people with honour like the doctor etc stayed
AJ
Guest
1. Everyone knew going into this WADA had a right to appeal. Right from the start this was a fact. For Essendon to be "surprised and shocked" it would come to it is absurd. If they genuinely believed WADA would not get involved then there are a large number of fools in that club. 2. Essendon Self Reported. If they believed that they had done nothing wrong why would they self report. 3. They complain that it has been dragging on for 3 years... Wait How many court appeals were put forward BY ESSENDON? they delayed the process with failed court processes that in the end did nothing but drag the club even more through the media. 4. Once they self reported all they had to do was say no comment to everything until the process was complete, there would have always been leaked but by coming out and whinging and whining about everything on a weekly basis did nothing to "keep it quiet" and "let the process happen". Hird should go. Not only because of his role in the start, prolonging of the saga but because his coaching record is trash outside of the first few years.
Casper
Guest
That's the thing Jack, it doesn't worry me who coaches the other teams. Some people on this site are obsessed about Essendon, which I find a bit bizarre.
Gerry Merry
Guest
What, he is delusional as well?
Gerry Merry
Guest
More crystal balling Don? Telling us how it is going to be. unbelievable! ,you would have thought you would have learnt by now.
Paul
Roar Rookie
I don't agree with injections or many of the sports science innovations but to say that Essendon players were injected with hundreds of injections is incorrect, at most players had around 25 injections, not hundreds or whatever the AFL and ASADA claimed. BTW Caro hates Hird, so where does that leave Hird, we all know Caro is pariah of the highest order. That must make Hird a great bloke.