Adam Goodes goes to bat for former Essendon coach James Hird

FORMER AFL champ Adam Goodes has weighed in on the downfall of Essendon great James Hird, saying footballers are not made of armour.

Hird is currently receiving care at a Melbourne mental health facility. Picture: Getty

• James Hird taken to hospital with major health scare
• Tania Hird appeals for privacy for husband James
• Hird breaks silence on Bombers’ drugs saga

FOOTBALLERS are not made of armour says Adam Goodes, a thinking footy warrior who empathises with James Hird’s pain in the wake of the Essendon champion’s drug overdose.

Hird is currently receiving care at a Melbourne mental health facility after an ambulance was called to his Toorak family home early January.

Goodes, who like Hird has endured his own highs and lows thought his stellar AFL career, said no one, not even tough talking footy dynamos, are made of steel.

Adam Goodes and his partner Natalie Croker. Picture: AAP

“None of us walk around with an armoured suit on,” Goodes said. “We all get vulnerable at times.”

Hird has largely stayed out of the spotlight since he left the Bombers, but defended Goodes back in 2015 (and give the AFL a stinging backhander) over its handling of the booing saga.

Goodes said while he had not personally reached out to Hird since his hospitalisation, he hoped the Don’s former coach had much need support in his recovery.

“James has a fantastic football club and a fantastic league behind him,” Goodes said, though we’re not so sure if Hird would share the same sentiment toward the AFL.

“People need to understand that he and his family just need time and peace to figure out where they are at.”

The Swan’s star and 2014 Australian of the Year, said he has battled depression during and after his footballing career.

“It’s something that definitely has happened throughout my football career and definitely post football,” Goodes said.

Hird is currently receiving care at a Melbourne mental health facility. Picture: Getty

“As men we need to be able to put our hand up and ask for help when we need it,” he said.

“We need to bring it out of the darkness.

“There is a stigma especially with men, behind not saying anything and not asking for help and that you are a wuss for doing that, We have to get past that stigma.

“For me it is about understanding where I have been in the past but knowing that when things get a little bit tough having people and the wife behind me to support me.”

Speaking at the glittering David Jones Autumn Winter 2017 launch on Wednesday night with his new wife Natalie Crocker beside him in his role as ambassador and an adviser to the retail giant’s reconciliation program, the retired AFL player said he was enjoying life as a married man.

Goodes has stood strong against everything thrown at him on and off the field. If anyone knows the torment suffered by Hird, it is this great Australian. Our champions are only human.

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