Essendon great James Hird could make a return to coaching ranks as early as this season after reportedly being sounded out by Fremantle coach Ross Lyon.
The Dockers are on the lookout for a new opposition analyst, and rumours are circulating that Lyon has contacted Hird about a role at Fremantle.
Hird quit the Bombers at the end of 2015 following the club’s drawn-out supplements saga, which resulted in 34 past and present players being banned for the 2016 season.
But he was welcomed back into the AFL fold at last year’s grand final when he presented the Norm Smith Medal to Richmond star Dustin Martin.
The AFL has stated it won’t impede Hird if he wants to join a club in an official capacity.
Fremantle’s hierarchy were tight lipped when asked about the prospect of Hird joining the club when quizzed about it on Friday.
Skipper Nat Fyfe was also reluctant to speak about it in depth when he fronted the media a short time later..
“Is that right? That would be great,” Fyfe said about the rumours of Fremantle sounding out Hird.
“This is literally the first I’m hearing of it. He’s an idol of mine and that would be unreal, but I can’t really comment.
“(I liked watching him as a player) because he was a gun.
“He impacted in big moments. But me commenting on him potentially being a coach wouldn’t be appropriate at this time.”
olrac
Guest
My biggest issue with JH is what happened afterwards, he showed that he was out for his own best interests rather than the players or the club. He needed to fall on his sword and that would have short cut the process. That being said why shouldn't he be employed by another club if he can assist them in analysis, I wouldn't be putting him in charge of a team again though.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I see the above as fundamental. So unless you've got one that counters the above (if you actually even understand it, because it's not just saying AFL players and coaches have signed onto WADA) I don't need to counter any other distractions/arguments you've flung out there,.
Redb
Roar Guru
For every Essendon apologist there is an opposition fan choosing to ignore anything that might show Essendon or Hird were not as bad you like to portray. This whole thread is predictable.
Redb
Roar Guru
No Hird did not break the WADA code, get your facts right.
Redb
Roar Guru
Cat, He didn't break any laws, was never charged with anything by ASADA or WADA for any drug offence. As one of the officials could have faced similar bans to the players. So all the drug talk is misguided. Aim that at Dank. Hird amongst others was sanctioned for poor 'governance'. His biggest crime though as far as the AFL was concerned is going after Demetriou.
Redb
Roar Guru
Spot on Aligee.
Redb
Roar Guru
He apologised many times.
Redb
Roar Guru
you talk rubbish Grubby.
Redb
Roar Guru
Yep and the fact that Hird as an official, was not found guilty of anything and never even charged. All the BS in the media telling the everyday punter he is the architect of the drug 'program', when ASADA found he had no case to answer and co-operative throughout.
Dave
Guest
6 years ago if you asked Hird to consider working for Freo he would have laughed you out the door. He has no place at our club. If we need someone in Melbourne as an analyst why not go for someone recently retired, Hird has been out of the loop for a while now.
mattyb
Guest
I tend to agree here Aligee. I must say I didn't mind Hird as a player but I certainly can't stand Essendon as a club,I don't let that biased effect simple thought process though. I really have never been able to understand how people were so easily manipulated on this issue and how anyone can say guilty on the flimsy evidence provided by WADA. They took our sport for a major ride here and some people seem to think that's fine because they don't barrack for Essendon.
Aligee
Guest
The funny thing is a couple of years ago, people were to scared within the football industry to state that, for fear of their snout being dragged from the trough by the AFL and fair enough, we all have to feed and clothe our family, now the AFL have stated it is all kosher again by inviting Hird to present the Norm Smith last year. I have never met the bloke, or barrack for Essendon so i don't have an opinion personally on whether he is a great bloke or not, but i do know when i see the attempted breaking of a man via the establishment and a heavily manipulated media.
Reservoir Animal
Guest
"You have not countered one argument i have put forward " How many of my arguments have you adequately countered?
Aligee
Guest
Disprove it is all i ask, disprove Bruce Francis, surely it is not asking that much. That statement by you is just a nothing, pretty similar to all your posts.
Reservoir Animal
Guest
I think the bottom line is the statement: "You're either guilty or you're not guilty." Who said that? James Hird, that's who.
Reservoir Animal
Guest
Stop getting your info from other Hird disciples.
Aligee
Guest
I did link you to it, have a look, its about 1:50 into the video. See what CAS have done here .... 126: the vast majority of players WHO HAD TO FILL IN THE FORM , ...... that got translated to just ' the vast majority of players' by the media, when in fact the vast majority of players filled in the form correctly, in fact i reckon when ASADA finally releases under the FOI act the DCF's ( they dont want to) all the players will have been found to have correctly filled the DCF in. i am just amazed people cant see this. A cornerstone of CAS findings. When are people going to realize that the media do not reflect or even report on reality, but rather attempt to manufacture a reality to suit a political agenda, which is exactly what happened here.
Cat
Roar Guru
Show me the actual DCF not someones claims regarding it. Link me to an actual blank DCF.
Cat
Roar Guru
Stop avoiding the questions you cannot answer. Stop setting up easily toppled straw men.
Aligee
Guest
Prove him wrong and i will agree 100% with you. prove him wrong regarding the DCF's that you were on your high horse about yesterday, that was a major chunk of CAS finding the players guilty and it was built on mistruths by CAS, whatsmore they knew it and did it deliberately.