The Tackle: Essendon coach James Hird prepares for the long game

THE TACKLE - FULL VERSION: IF IT was the end, as it appears to be for James Hird for the next 12 months, it ended in remarkable scenes.

IF IT was the end, as it appears to be for James Hird for the next 12 months, it ended in remarkable scenes.

It wasn't a fairytale - how can it be? - but an exhilarating end to a difficult week and a torturous season.

Essendon's penalties are expected to be announced today and not even the most hopeful of Bombers people - officials and fans - think they will play finals this year.

There was a look of resignation on plenty of faces on Saturday night.

BOMBERS: GIVE US HOPE

CHAT LIVE WITH ROBBO FROM 11.30am IN THE CHAT WINDOW BELOW

After the adrenalin release at the final siren, where the players thrust their arms in the air as if it was a premiership win, there was a look of dejection on their faces.

In the rooms, the players invited Hird into the circle and together they belted out the theme song.

James Hird

Then Hird did what everyone hoped he would: he opened up at his press conference.

Tellingly, he said he would love to coach the club after a suspension.

KEEP HIRD'S SEAT WARM

It was always thought Hird would give the game away if he was suspended, that it would be too difficult to coach again if he accepted a penalty that meant he accepted guilt to an array of AFL charges.

Hird has wondered, would everyone believe in him again?

It is yet to be announced if he will continue legal action against the AFL and its senior players, Andrew Demetriou and Gillon McLachlan, but if he does he will almost certainly be stood down as coach.

MALTHOUSE 'NOT INTERESTED IN FINALS'

If he's going to be suspended anyhow, people close to him are urging him to fight the AFL to a) reveal the truth as he knows it; and b) fight "99 per cent" of the charges against him. Hird was locked in talks with his legal team yesterday.

On Saturday night, the seriousness of the situation was initially swamped by the emotion of victory.

Very quickly, however, it became very real that nothing would be the same again.

James Hird

For club doctor Bruce Reid, who is also charged by the AFL with bringing the game into disrepute, it was goodbye. It is thought it was Reid's final game as club doctor, a role he started in 1981 under Kevin Sheedy.

As players, officials and friends gathered around him, Reid shed tears.

And so did Hird.

Assistant coach Mark Thompson told the Herald Sun yesterday he did not know what was coming for him or the club.

"I've not spoken to anyone," Thompson said.

A brief discussion about the future, about whether he could step in as coach if Hird was suspended, elicited some hope.

"It's too hard to answer," he said. "Run training for a couple of months? I reckon they would've asked already."

He described the feeling in the rooms as "outstanding".

James Hird

"Reidy was really emotional, so was Hirdy. It's hard to explain. How would it be to be Hirdy? Just the week he had, and then the player players came out and played for him like that. It was unbelievable."

Hird's press conference was unbelievable for many reasons, not least because it felt like we were listening to a condemned man who believed himself to be innocent.

For the first time, he said he would accept responsibility for what happened at the club at the end of 2011 and throughout 2012.

Asked if he had regrets, he said: "Do I have regrets ... I certainly regret certain aspects of what happened in 2012."

It was his first public utterance of remorse and he promised more would come when it was decided what would happen to the club and himself.

One day soon enough he will talk about his one-time trusted sports scientist Stephen Dank.

Dank continues to make contact with at least one of his former colleagues, and expresses great confidence of winning any legal battle.

But he's been told it's not about legal battles. It's about the players wanting to know one thing from Dank, and that is the truth about what they were injected with.

Hird wants the truth found and heard, and that's why yesterday was spent deciding whether to continue to take on the AFL.

If it was about him being suspended and the club keeping premiership points and draft picks and the players being in the clear, then Hird said he would do it.

His immediate future will be known today, but his long-term future seems more assured.

"I want to come back if I am suspended," he said.

"I love the players, I love the people I work with and this year has brought us close together."




THE ESSENDON saga has taken the spotlight from several clubs, one of which is Mick Malthouse's Carlton.

West Coast is another, Adelaide, North Melbourne to some extent although they copped it in the first half and, of course,  Melbourne, which has virtually disappeared from the landscape.

Malthouse, though, has had a difficult year, made even worse by his team's want to destroy itself in front of goal at the MCG on Saturday night. But all is not lost.

They remain favourite to replace the Bombers in the eight which would mean a possible Blues-Tigers elimination final in the first week of the finals.

It will be a fortunate break for the Blues, who have won just 10 games from 21 outings.

No wonder Malthouse was at his prickly best in the post-match press conference.

To be fair, he was straight up and down about the Blues' performance, but got his back up when asked, albeit quite awkwardly, about his recent comments about Essendon's drugs scandal.

Whenever Malthouse bristles, you have to wonder if that is his true character.

Plenty of people who have worked with him and played under him, say he is a terrific person, with sound judgment, good values and a big heart.

It's a pity the rest of us don't see it often enough.

But those looking closely on Saturday night would've seen Malthouse approach James Hird and shake his hand.

It reflected a man who felt for another. A small gesture, some encouraging words perhaps, from one coach who's been around the block a couple of times to another who crashed into a pole at its first turn.
That's the Malthouse his friends speak of.

At the time when Malthouse was demanding strong AFL action if the Bombers were guilty, Hird was disappointed with Malthouse being a part of the commentary on the Essendon situation.

"I was disappointed. Not because it was Mick, I was just disappointed because I think the facts - people should comment when they've got all of the facts and no one outside of our club can have all of the facts," Hird said.

"It's not just Mick, everyone in Australia has had an opinion on what we've gone through."

On Saturday night, he appreciated Malthouse's gesture but wouldn't elaborate.

In a high-stakes game, with pressure on both teams and both individuals, Malthouse won some admirers.

LIKES
1. Essendon
Story of the weekend - heck, story of the year - and once again the enchantment of sport produced a victory for the ages. On the verge of being gutted for its supplements program in 2012, the Dons were on the canvass. Down by three goals at the final break, they rallied with 4.3 to 0.4, the winning goal coming inside the final minute. The off-field scenes were remarkable,  but they were born of inspiring moments on it. They included Hurley's performance as key forward, Watson and Goddard in the middle, Hardingham in the air, Hocking's resilience, Ryder's second half and Kommer's attitude. It may mean little in the long run, but it mean plenty on Saturday night.

Motlop

2. Steve Motlop
Have been so entrenched in the magic of Cyril Rioli, that Motlop has closed the gap to the point where the questions is being asked: Who's better? It's difficult to write but right now I have to pick Motlop. From a scrounging small forward, he has become a gut-running midfielder, which is not yet in Rioli's repertoire. And he still he kicks goals. Three on Saturday, one of which was Rioli-like in evasive skills, took his season tally to 39, and they include double-figure goals in his past six games.

3. Josh Thomas
Career-high 35 touches against the Eagles, and coming in his 17th match for the club. The 21-year-old is bomb of a midfielder and when he was in the middle on Friday night, the Pies lost nothing. What stands out? It's his coolness under pressure which complements his decision-making. Coach Nathan Buckley talked ealier in the season about the "evolution" taking place at Collingwood. In Thomas, the evolution has arrived.
 
4. Minson v Leuenberger
In the end, Minson won the battle, strengthening his lock on the All Australian position. Still, it was a ripper contest. The Berger had 17 touches, 22 hit outs, six clearances and kicked two goals. Minson had 15 touches, 36 hit outs, seven clearances and kicked a goal, and was a monster in the Bulldogs' fight back from 50-odd points down. Don't think anyone would deny Minson's AA selection and from here on should be known as the dumbest smart player to be accorded the best ruckman in the competition.

5. Fremantle
Supposed big test against Port Adelaide was a timid affair and only enhanced the Dockers reputation at home. Everything went right. Fyfe starred, the small forwards kicked seven between them,  Pavlich helped himself to four, Lachie Neale continued his startling form and Zac Clarke did it again in the ruck. And only 42 inside 50s for Port Adelaide. As for Ken Hinkley's boys, this was the worst performance of the season.

6. Stephen Milne
What a career. Cheered and jeered through 274 games, some will love to see the back of him, but not me. Milney has kicked 572 goals which makes him the best small forward of his generation. He goaded opposition players and fans on one hand, and inspired his teammates with the other. Save for Steve Johnson, can't think of another permanent forward who had greater control of his 'screw' kick. Say what you want about him, but admit he was resilient. He’s played more than 21 games in nine of his past 10 seasons and averaged two goals per game.

7. Kade Simpson
The bearded one was always a terrific run and carry midfielder who complemented the in-close work of Chris Judd, Brock McLean and others. His move to the backline, however, has unearthed a players of great courage and rebound. Would argue Simpson was best afield on Saturday night with 33 touches and nine rebound 50s. Time and again he thwarted the Bombers and have to admit is courage in the air was not something I'd been aware of when he played as a mid. Simpson is battling for an All Australian half-back with Hodge, McVeigh, and Hanley, and might just get there..

8. Chapman and Didak
Two favourites returned to the field, but it's unsure if both stay there. Paul Chapman appears safer after stunning first quarter off the sub's bench and finishing with  14 touches and a goal. Nine of those came in the first quarter. Didak was activated in the third term and finished with 15 touches and a goal. Despite his popularity with his teammates, the coach doesn't pick the team on popularity.  ''It has nothing to do with sentiment or how good it makes people on the outside feel,'' Nathan Buckley said. “We’re there to win games of footy and we’ll make sure that we pick the right team to do that.” Can't help but feel Didak's defensive side concerns Buckley.

9. Dustin Martin
It was a canter against GWS and the Tigers will take that, as they will Martin's signature on a new contract. There has never been doubt about him leaving the club and it would appear it will be completed soon. To reaffirm his importance, Martin was  close to best afield against the Giants with his sxith 30-plus possessions game of the season.

10. Alex Rance
Masking a strong run for All Australian consideration, but would have to nudge out Harry Taylor, Scott Thompson and maybe even Michael Johnson. To be named in that company is testament to Rance's standing in the game. At the weekend, he kept Jeremy Cameron not only goalless but to two kicks, while collecting 21 of his own and taking seven marks. Top three in the club B&F beckons.

Honourable mentions: Stevie J's front and square, Zorko's long bombs, Joey Montagna's past six weeks, Libba's 14 clearances, Nick Riewoldt's marking (and not his kicking), Jones on Gazza, Gia's rethink on retirement, Scott Thompson Adelaide, Taylor on Tippett, Luke Hodge, Daniel Wells and Priddis in his 150th.

Rhyce Shaw

DISLIKES
1. Rhys Shaw's knee
It's been the season from hell for the Swans back flanker and it ends with busted ACL on the eve of the finals, Managed just six games this year _ Rounds 1-2 an Rounds 19-22) and his injury places more pressure on the Swans list. Speed had become such a positive factor for the premiers, and now they will have defend its crown without Shaw and it would seem Lewis Jetta.  ‏Shaw's injury affected many, but maybe none more than his brother. He tweeted on Saturday night: "Been a big weekend for my 2 best mates, 1 back in team (Didak), other out for the year. @cameronling any danger of a free beer at edge ???"
We can't confirm if Lingy helped set up a tab.

2. Bryce Gibbs' leg
He was not alone in missing goals, but with two minutes to play he should've iced the game from 30m. What got to him? Pressure? Or was it simply a bad ball drop which helped the ball block to the right? Isn't it interesting that when a team kicks points early _ the Blues had 22 of them against the Bombers _ the choking envelops the team. Eleven players kicked behinds led by Betts, Yarran and Tuohy (three each) and Duigan and Menzel (two). Coach Mick Malthouse has seen it before. "No one means to miss, but when you miss that many times, it becomes contagious." More like the black plague.

3. Shane Edwards' elbow
Has to go for a reckless elbow to GWS midfielder, Liam Sumner. It was a poor act. Edwards was on the ground and Sumner was behind him, and Edwards threw an elbow back to shrug off Sumner. It worked. Unfortunately, it copped Sumner in the head, which could mean missing the club's first final in a dozen years.

4. John Worsfold's future
A strange season at West Coast has suddenly got stranger. A lock for a new contract a fortnight back, Worsfold is now questioning his own future. And rightly so. ''I'm sure the club will have some doubts about it at the moment," he said on Friday night. ''"It challenges your self-belief as a coach and your desire, all those sorts of things. I understand if their confidence wavers and in the end we have to make a decision." Reckon it could be over.

5. Injuries (I)
Daniel Merrett. Thank God the season is one match from being over, for the Lions might be needing to field a team of midgets. Merrett went down yesterday with a serious ankle injury and was taken to the hospital before the game was over. Not a doctor, but he had the look of a man who knew his game and season was over.

6. Injuries (II)
Liam Shiels. He did an ankle as well, and his finals are in jeopardy. It was the same ankle he hurt in Round 14 and Saturday's game against North Melbourne was his first game back. As a doomsday prediction for the  top-of-the-table Hawks, it was a blow on the eve of the finals.

7. O'Keefe on Bartel
Can see the strategy, for Bartel has been influential at the back. But O'Keefe was needed in the midfield and not in the forward line where he tried to combine being an effective goalkicker while reducing Bartel's touches. Bartel had 22 touches and O'Keefe nine, all the while the Cats finished with about 90 more possessions. That's two poor weeks in a row for O'Keefe. That's not a criticism, it's an observation, and a week from the finals, he would be looking to find better form.

8. Bad umpiring
Have refrained in recent weeks to say anything about the officiating, but can't ignore the non-decision of hands in the back by Lance Franklin on Michael Firrito. Franklin played on kicked the goal to make the scores 59-42. It was crucial decision in a tight a game and no wonder Brad Scott gave one of the more expressive acts of disbelief in the coach's box. OK, umpires make mistakes, and all you can say about this one is the umpire clearly was in the wrong position.

9. The wait
Talking about Justin Koschitzke's availability. The big fella will play his 200th game if the medical staff give him the green light on his calf strain. Let's hope he gets up, for it will be memorable day for the Saints with the retirements of Kosi, Milne and the grand old defender Jason Blake.

10. The idiot
What possesses a teenager to bolt on to the MCG during a foot match?  It happened during the Essendon-Carlton game, and the little idiot could only smile when he was caught. What's the fine these days, $7000? There goes his pocket money for the next five years.

BEST TWEETS:
‏@gagorocks: likes: how blues have had a woeful year with Mick: Dislikes how dons drug scandal had allowed blues 2 escape harsh scrutiny

@chookie94: like: Stephen Milne's career. will be a sad day next Saturday seeing one of the greatest small forwards hang up the boots

@buddysurkidsdad: like: what Jed Anderson brings to the Hawks, has a mix of pace and aggression that no other Hawk mid has

@Coldogs: L the Character of Ess players on the field. D their season's nearly over, perhaps.

@mickythev: Like: Richmond's first 100 point win in 17 years. Dislike: potentially playing a home final at etihad.

@Kennytran_7:  Dislike the 50m penalty for running in the protected zone. Too harsh a penalty for an honest mistake

‏@champidiot: dislike Malthouse - how does he connect with young men the way he now rants and raves - no wonder they are so inconsistent.

@zalakos:  nothing else matters dislike holding the ball rule. It's a disgrace Robbo. #timetogetitright

@p_mclaren:  like Reece Conca what a star! Please please sign up, we can't lose you mate

‏@nick_lovering: Like: positivity of Freo crowd, solid 15 mins of Mexican wave; long suffering fans finally starting to believe!

@gleebodinho:  likes didak and chappy's response from fans  and team mates dislikes injuries to finals sides 2 weeks out from September

@silkwoodau:  Like Luke Hodge. A warrior who saved the Hawks in the 3rd qrt with his head split open. Dislike - soulless Etihad Stadium.

@jessicabomford: Like: North Melbourne. No matter how frustrating this year has been, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

@FeathertopDT:  like: only positive out of sat night is Troy Menzel. Will be a superstar dislike: everything else about the game

‏@DanielMcLean40: Likes: Joel Selwood the new Brownlow Medal Fav? Competition for spots (Richmond, Sydney) Dislikes: Booing Jobe, West Coast

@davo_cann: dislike - losing my Supercoach prelim to Crawf by one point. Wasted season.

@ZachFor: like - james hird presser ... dislike - rhys shaws acl tear

@kelloveslife: dislike mentality of 'the booer' pathetic stance by those with nothing to offer on subject they've 'selectively researched'

@Tim_S_C: is West Coast's performances inversely proportional to the umpires no paying soft free kicks? They act for frees like U/12s

@drunk_logic:  Like: Motlop for going from a fragile fwd pocket to an almost elite gut running midfielder. Dislike: James Hird.

@billymclean5: like: @kylehardingham lunging attack on the footy in dying stages, dislike: Jobe still being booed... he did nothing wrong.

@easymmmkay: Like-Dane Swan, continues to do his thing Dislike-Carlton weak above the shoulder when things get tough

@boof08: Dislikes; Essendon saga, Carltons efforts, Taggers(Jones treatment of Ablett poor), Demetriou(has to go), Worsfold, Dees.

@morgstrauty:  Like: Matthew Lobbe, incredible last 3 weeks. 144 hitouts.

‏@mauricebilli: like- Freo, the top 4 Side nobody mentions! Dislike - twitter abuse from those so called 'adult' role models.

@mr_bibos: Gibbs set shot miss choke as well as the other 21 points. Let down @kadesimpson6 @SimmosBeard who was enormous #b&f

@Darc63:  Got to be Didak Robbo. Bucks may have no room for sentiment but the players & fans obviously do.

@LiftHodgy23: Dislike Carltons Dismal effort, Essendon wanted it more. And how about Mick losing it? Angry man.....

@drewnicholls78:  can the dogs be a like and dislike in one game?

@srahul_35: Like: Lenny playing on despite being 33 and the club rebuilding. True champion of the game and a footballer's footballer.

‏@damiendjones: like: Alex Rance. It's a midfielders award but I'd love to see him score a couple of Brownlow points for today's game.