Zach Merrett: James Hird ‘not the path’ for Bombers

Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett says club great James Hird is not the right person to coach the Bombers.

Essendon star Zach Merrett told a crowd of more than 600 at a finals luncheon that James Hird would not be the right person for the vacant Bombers coaching job.

Speaking at the Women in Insolvency and Restructuring Victoria Footy Finals Luncheon at Crown Palladium last Friday, sources confirmed the Essendon vice-captain said he couldn’t see Hird coaching the club again.

The three-time Bombers best and fairest said if Hird was to receive the job, they would make it work, but Merrett also made it clear it was not the path he wanted the club to go down.

Merrett made the comment sitting next to sports broadcaster Neroli Meadows, Richmond AFLW player Sarah Hosking and Carlton great Anthony Koutoufides, who were also guest speakers at the event.

Zach Merrett speaking at the function last Friday alongside Neroli Meadows, Sarah Hosking and Anthony Koutoufides. (Picture: supplied)

It comes as Essendon confirmed it had interviewed Hird on Wednesday along with other candidates for the coaching job.

Merrett was drafted to Essendon at pick 26 in 2013 and was coached by Mark Thompson in his first season.

Hird coached Merrett in 2015 when the Essendon great returned from a 12-month AFL suspension after the Bombers supplements scandal.

He resigned later that season and had mental health struggles after the scandal.

Hird joined former Essendon teammate Mark McVeigh at GWS this season as a part-time leadership consultant.

He had a focus on the leadership group and emerging leaders of the club where he shared his own experiences to support their journeys.