Essendon can’t afford having James Hird at odds with Bombers senior assistant Mark Thompson

ESSENDON can’t afford the Cold War between James Hird and Mark Thompson to continue for much longer, Mark Robinson writes.

Essendon coach James Hird and his new assistant Mark Harvey at Tullamarine today. Pic: Michael Klein

THE Cold War continues between James Hird and Mark Thompson.

The pair have not spoken since a conversation they had when Thompson was driving to Essendon’s best and fairest count on October 1.

They were as one then. Or so Hird thought. So much so that Thompson urged Hird to keep fighting the ASADA fight despite Hird’s job hanging by a whisker if he chose to do so.

Then Thompson spoke at the count. He spoke of his longing to be a senior coach and of not wanting to step down.

Hird listened from home. Confused and disappointed would adequately describe his reaction.

The next day, Hird survived what was supposed to be the day of his sacking, while Thompson flew to Colorado and then Mexico for a fortnight.

Then Hird went overseas and returned home at the weekend.

It’s now October 27.

Both have given media interviews in the past week — Thompson twice to Channel 7 and Hird on Monday to announce the appointment of Mark Harvey — but both have yet to pick up the phone and talk to each other.

Thompson has twice had discussions with Bombers chief executive Xavier Campbell and once with Campbell and chairman Paul Little together, and the Bombers say discussions are continuing.

Newly appointed assistant coach, Mark Harvey and senior coach James Hird. Picture: Getty

Hird is no longer confused and disappointed because, back in early October, it was a confusing and disappointing time for many people at Essendon.

Thompson said what he said in the surrounds of 1200 people chanting his name. It was a wartime speech. The coach of a year wanted to be the coach forever and because of his love for the players and the job, emotion and passion overwhelmed his circumspection.

Who knows, maybe Thompson believed Hird was to be sacked and he was rallying the troops the night before Hird took it in the neck? Maybe other people — directors? — were to blame for Thompson speaking so frankly?

Still, Hird and Thompson have to break bread.

If it didn’t happen last night, it has to happen today.

And it is now Thompson’s move.

He has a role at Essendon on the table. The official job description is football strategist, football development and strong match-day input. Hird has put it as simply as “he can do whatever he likes’’.

Clearly Thompson is asking himself if the role would satisfy him or, indeed, if the club really needs him.

The appointment of Harvey yesterday gives Hird a strong ally at a football club that seemingly changes its position on everything from fighting ASADA to its coaching setup.

Hird said Harvey was a club appointment, but that no-one would be more delighted than Hird.

Mark Thompson spoke about his future plans at Essendon’s best and fairest dinner. Picture: Mark Stewart

As former premiership teammates, they have a durable bond.

Thompson is older, more experienced and a better coach than Hird, but whether the “bond’’ remains strong enough between those two is the query.

Asked about his relationship with Thompson on Monday, Hird answered: “We’re fine.”

It was the kind of none-too-subtle answer an angry partner gives to the other when he or she asks whether everything is all right.

Hird did expand. “We’ve had a very good relationship for a long time ... we still have.”

It’s not quite true.

They haven’t spoken for four weeks and Hird doesn’t know what Thompson is thinking.

At a guess, Hird would like to hear from Thompson, explain to him what was said at the B & F and why, and then hammer out a role which gives Essendon a better opportunity at winning the premiership which, at the same time, satisfies Thompson’s professional desires.

It’s crazy at the moment.

You have Campbell and Little talking to Thompson, but Thompson and Hird aren’t talking, nor is Thompson and Harvey.

Two people at executive level are trying to find Thompson a role, but Thompson’s not talking to the very people he will be working with in the football department.

The Cold War has to end.

Thompson has to contact Hird, they have to put everything on the table — good, bad and ugly — and they have to move on.

Because after everything these two have dealt with these past four years, it would be a shame that a miscommunicated and misunderstood speech at a best and fairest night could lead to yet another shattered friendship, which would be one of many in this forever wretched affair.

Originally published as Essendon can’t afford having James Hird at odds with Bombers senior assistant Mark Thompson