Essendon 2021: James Hird’s son Alex joins brother Tom at the Bombers

James Hird’s eldest son Tom signed with the Bombers last year and now his younger brother has joined him. Here’s where he’s at and when he can be drafted.

Another Hird is back at Essendon with James Hird’s middle son Alex training with the Bombers.

After the Brownlow medallist’s eldest son Tom turned his back on soccer and signed with the club where his father is a legend as a Category B Rookie last year, Alex has been training with Essendon after the Bombers returned to pre-season duties after the Christmas break.

Alex, 17, also played plenty of the round ball game growing up - and was at NPL side Port Melbourne - but, like his older brother, has decided to dabble with the code his father excelled at.

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Josh Misiti, Tex Wanganeen, Alex Hird and Nyawi Moore at Essendon.

As part of the club’s James Hird Academy, for father-son and Next Generation Academy prospects, Alex, Josh Misiti (son of Joe), Tex Wanganeen (son of Gavin) and Nyawi Moore (son of Nathan Lovett-Murray) have all been training with Ben Rutten’s side as the Bombers look to put a disappointing 2020 behind them.

Alex joined the Academy last year, but like other Victorians could not play any footy because of COVID-19.

All four prospects turn 18 this year, although the Bombers could be in a fight to snare Wanganeen under the father-son rule as he is also eligible to be selected by Port Adelaide.

The Hird’s connection to Essendon stretch back to before World War II with James’ grandfather Allan Snr playing 102 games for the Bombers before becoming a part of their committee.

Originally published as Essendon 2021: James Hird’s son Alex joins brother Tom at the Bombers