Essendon coach Mark Thompson to meet with James Hird to discuss match day roles
MARK Thompson and James Hird will meet in the next 24 hours to outline what match-day role, if any, he will have at the club when his suspension ends.
Mark Robinson
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MARK Thompson and James Hird will meet in the next 24 hours to outline what match-day role, if any, he will have at the club when his suspension ends.
The decision ultimately will be made by the board, but if Thompson and the players believe Hird can improve performance on match day being in the coaches box, that message will be strongly conveyed to the board.
Hird arrived back in Australia on Tuesday night and had a meeting with key Essendon officials Xavier Campbell and Justin Rodski at his Toorak home.
Further talks were held on Tuesday.
There is a suggestion the club should urgently determine Hird’s role and it is possible the Bombers will release details on Wednesday or Thursday to end speculation.
Already, former Bombers greats including Terry Daniher and Matthew Lloyd have said Hird should not be in the coaches’ box after his suspension ends on the Monday before the Round 23 match against Carlton.
Former player Scott Lucas told SEN Radio it was “more likely than less likely” Hird would be in the coaches’ box.
Thompson’s belief is Hird’s return would not be a distraction for the players and it is understood several players have indicated they don’t oppose a match-day role for Hird.
Some club officials, however, are wary if Hird was given a prominent role it would provoke a storm of media reaction, which could be seen as a distraction for the players.
In any case, when Hird’s suspension is completed, he will be back full-time at the club.
Hird, who returned from a four-month study course in France, yesterday said he “can’t wait” to get back to the Bombers.
“I can’t wait to be back and I look forward to heading back to Essendon,” he said.
Asked what his role would be, he said: “We haven’t caught up with Bomber yet but we’ll catch up now I’m back and I look forward to getting back to the club as soon as I can.’’
Thompson will ask the players for feedback on the Hird situation, which will be relayed to senior club officials.
Originally published as Essendon coach Mark Thompson to meet with James Hird to discuss match day roles
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