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Hird family excited by Tom Hird's signing with Essendon as a Category B rookie, footy news from March 5, 2020
Essendon has signed the son of club great James Hird, picking up the youngster after he initially set his sights on a career as a professional soccer player - and his family are thrilled. Find out about the Bombers recruit.
The Hird family has spoken of its excitement at son Tom’s arrival at Essendon as the legendary football name lives on 80 years after his great grandfather’s arrival at the club.
Left-footed rising soccer star Hird is the eldest of club champion James’s three sons and was yesterday signed by the Bombers as a fourth-generation Hird on a two-year deal.
The league yesterday defended his Category B listing as within the spirit of the rules because he has never played representative football.
His mother Tania Hird last night told the Herald Sun she was thrilled at the opportunity presented to the 180cm soccer full back.
“Tom is excited and so we are happy for him. He is an exceptional boy and we are very proud,” Tania said.
The Herald Sun revealed last year Tom Hird was a left-field father-son target but despite training at the father-son academy named after his father, he did not nominate for the draft.
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https://twitter.com/essendonfc/status/1235410981154459650
Instead Essendon has been able to secure him using the same rookie category that is used for international players and elite sportsmen secured from rival codes.
Hird had not been listed at any AFL team for the past three years so was eligible.
The Hird family is part of football royalty but he could be recruited as a Category B rookie because he has never played representative football.
Hird has played for premier league club Port Melbourne and trialled with Stoke City as a 15-year-old before a recent trial in the Netherlands.
Port Melbourne football director Dario Serra said yesterday Hird had a senior contract with the club and had potential to play in the league below Australia’s A League if he had stuck with soccer.
“He is a lefty who plays as an attacking full back for us. He is five foot eleven (180cm) and he’s a bit of a stick so he needs to hit the gym but he is a mature boy and really coachable. He was playing a couple of years above his age group and had the potential to play National Premier League football.”
It is an inspired decision because Essendon does not have to pay him under the salary cap and he has two years to develop his AFL skills with little pressure other than his surname.
Former star and senior coach Hird’s younger sons Alex and William have also played with Port Melbourne, while daughter Stephanie was a developing rookie in Essendon’s 2019 VFLW squad.
AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said last night Hird’s relatives at the club did not alter his eligibility for the Category B rookie list.
“The Hird kids have been the (father-son) academy but you have to be unregistered for three years.
“(The Category B list) encourages speculation. It can be used for international players or people from alternate sports and it provides extra opportunities for clubs to think outside the square,” he said.
“We encourage clubs to be brave and look at what they might find out there and there is nothing wrong with that. Essendon has used it on the three Irish boys who are there now. Clubs can be speculative and brave and try new things and it’s a bit of a free kick if you can get one.”
Allan Sr played 102 games at Essendon, Allan Jr four games with the Bombers and Hird became one of footy’s most popular players but was involved in the damaging supplements scandal.
Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro said the club would give Tom Hird time to grow as a footballer.
““We are really pleased to welcome Tom to the club as a Category B rookie signing,” he said.
“Tom trained with our club in early 2019 after being granted permission to train in accordance with AFL rules. We have been following him closely in the event he chose to return to football from elite soccer and pleasingly for our club, he has come to that decision.
“He is an athletic young sportsman with natural talent, but we will be taking a patient approach with his development as he begins to build his strength.”
Updates
Geelong has accepted a $40,000 fine for breaching the total player payment lodgement rules through an 'inadvertent administrative error.'
The AFL said in a statement:
"AFL General Counsel Andrew Dillon today announced the Geelong Football Club had been sanctioned $40,000 for breaching the AFL Player Rules.
Mr Dillon said the Geelong Football Club had voluntarily disclosed the breach as soon as it was discovered.
The AFL's Investigations Manager Ken Wood found that the club had breached the Total Player Payment (TPP) lodgement rules through an inadvertent administrative error.
He said the Geelong Football Club voluntarily advised the AFL of all the required information and the club's full co-operation had been taken into account regarding the penalty. "
The Cats said the error was to their related to their TPP related reporting.
“We made an inadvertent administrative error in our TPP related reporting that has been repeated over eight years,” Geelong Football Club Chief Financial Officer Simon Kelleher said.
“As soon as we discovered this error, we advised the AFL. The AFL investigated the matter and have passed down the sanction. We accept the penalty and have thoroughly reviewed our processes to ensure full compliance going forward.”
Geelong cop monster fine for payment breach
Geelong has accepted a $40,000 fine for breaching the total player payment lodgement rules through an 'inadvertent administrative error.'
The AFL said in a statement:
"AFL General Counsel Andrew Dillon today announced the Geelong Football Club had been sanctioned $40,000 for breaching the AFL Player Rules.
Mr Dillon said the Geelong Football Club had voluntarily disclosed the breach as soon as it was discovered.
The AFL's Investigations Manager Ken Wood found that the club had breached the Total Player Payment (TPP) lodgement rules through an inadvertent administrative error.
He said the Geelong Football Club voluntarily advised the AFL of all the required information and the club's full co-operation had been taken into account regarding the penalty. "
The Cats said the error was to their related to their TPP related reporting.
“We made an inadvertent administrative error in our TPP related reporting that has been repeated over eight years,” Geelong Football Club Chief Financial Officer Simon Kelleher said.
“As soon as we discovered this error, we advised the AFL. The AFL investigated the matter and have passed down the sanction. We accept the penalty and have thoroughly reviewed our processes to ensure full compliance going forward.”
Jon Ralph's KFC SuperCoach team reveal!
Jon Ralph has taken a few risks in his KFC SuperCoach team for 2020…
But look at that forward line!
No loopholes or spreadsheets here in picking this team. Just a good enough team to beat @heraldsunmick and @Robbo_heraldsun which should be a walk in the park. Can't go with the usual ruck combo because it's boring and too expensive https://t.co/9HJxLXhSva
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) March 5, 2020
Eagles appoint new leaders
Dual best and fairest winner Elliot Yeo and three-time leading goal-kicker Jack Darling have been elevated to the club's leadership group.
They join new captain Luke Shuey, vice-captains Josh Kennedy and Jeremy McGovern and leaders Nic Naitanui and Andrew Gaff.
West Coast GM of football Craig Vozzo said the pair will both bring something different to their current leadership setup.
“They’re both wonderful footballers, but sometimes it takes a little bit more time, we all develop at different rates in terms of leadership. They’ve both got very different ways of leading," Vozzo told the club website.
“Jack is a quieter, one-on-one type mentor. He has a terrific knowledge of the game and is able to pass that on one-on-one through our forward line. He has had the benefit of working with JK for such a long period of time. Between JK, Jack Darling and Jamie Cripps they’re terrific leaders of our forward line.
“Elliot has developed in to one of our best players and one of the better players in the game and is still forming his way of leadership and it’s going really well. We look forward to putting some energy into that growth over the next few years – we’re excited where that could head.”
Lucy Bishop
Dan Hannebery is set to make his return to football this weekend.
The Saints head to Morwell to take on Collingwood this weekend in their final Marsh Community Series game.
Hannebery will hit the track after an interrupted first year in the Saints colours, having spent much of pre-season in a moon boot due to fracturing his foot in October.
“(Dan) probably could’ve played last weekend but we were cautious based on the prep (he didn’t)," football boss Simon Lethlean said on RSN.
“He’s ready to play a full game Sunday then put his hand up to play in round 1 against the Kangaroos.
“We’re in a situation at the moment that we haven’t been in for a while, touch wood we’ve got just about everyone available to pick from, which is a good position to be in.
“Dan adds to that list now, with (Jimmy) Webster, (Jarryn) Geary, (Dylan) Roberton, (Jake) Carlisle and others we didn’t get much footy out of last year.
“We expect Dan to contribute across the midfield group, he’s got some good mates there now, on the wings probably with Hill, Jones, and Billings.
“We saw from his five games last year that his best level is in our best few players so we just want him to contribute, run hard and play well and be stress free and happy about it."
With five recruits and No.4 draftee Max King expected to be in their best 22, the greatest test for the Saints will be to find cohesion.
“The proof will be in the pudding now in the first half of the year how they get used to being Saints and playing with new teammates," Lethlean said.
“It’s all well and good preseason to fit in and integrate well which they have.
“(Zak) Jones brings a good run and carry and some inside stuff, (Dan) Butler brings great intensity up forward, (Paddy) Ryder will be a good partnership with Marshall, and (Dougal) Howard is a key back that we think will be there for ten years.
“You throw in Hill who has got the past we all know about. Even Abbott’s a pretty good third ruck. So they’ve all brought different elements which is great and all brought in for different needs.
“But now we need to get together and play cohesive footy, so that’s the next challenge."
Hannebery to push Round 1 case for Saints
Lucy Bishop
Dan Hannebery is set to make his return to football this weekend.
The Saints head to Morwell to take on Collingwood this weekend in their final Marsh Community Series game.
Hannebery will hit the track after an interrupted first year in the Saints colours, having spent much of pre-season in a moon boot due to fracturing his foot in October.
“(Dan) probably could’ve played last weekend but we were cautious based on the prep (he didn’t)," football boss Simon Lethlean said on RSN.
“He’s ready to play a full game Sunday then put his hand up to play in round 1 against the Kangaroos.
“We’re in a situation at the moment that we haven’t been in for a while, touch wood we’ve got just about everyone available to pick from, which is a good position to be in.
“Dan adds to that list now, with (Jimmy) Webster, (Jarryn) Geary, (Dylan) Roberton, (Jake) Carlisle and others we didn’t get much footy out of last year.
“We expect Dan to contribute across the midfield group, he’s got some good mates there now, on the wings probably with Hill, Jones, and Billings.
“We saw from his five games last year that his best level is in our best few players so we just want him to contribute, run hard and play well and be stress free and happy about it."
With five recruits and No.4 draftee Max King expected to be in their best 22, the greatest test for the Saints will be to find cohesion.
“The proof will be in the pudding now in the first half of the year how they get used to being Saints and playing with new teammates," Lethlean said.
“It’s all well and good preseason to fit in and integrate well which they have.
“(Zak) Jones brings a good run and carry and some inside stuff, (Dan) Butler brings great intensity up forward, (Paddy) Ryder will be a good partnership with Marshall, and (Dougal) Howard is a key back that we think will be there for ten years.
“You throw in Hill who has got the past we all know about. Even Abbott’s a pretty good third ruck. So they’ve all brought different elements which is great and all brought in for different needs.
“But now we need to get together and play cohesive footy, so that’s the next challenge."
Essendon has signed the son of club great James Hird as a Category B rookie.
Tom Hird will join the club on a two-year contract as a non-registered athlete.
Hird chose to pursue a career in elite soccer and recently had the opportunity to trial in the Netherlands.
“We are really pleased to welcome Tom to the club as a Category B rookie signing,” list boss Adrian Dodoro said.
“Tom trained with our club in early 2019 after being granted permission to train in accordance with AFL rules. We have been following him closely in the event he chose to return to football from elite soccer and pleasingly for our club, he has come to that decision.
“He is an athletic young sportsman with natural talent, but we will be taking a patient approach with his development as he begins to build his strength.
“We’re thrilled to have Tom join the red and black and watch him develop as a player over the coming years.”
Son of a legend signs with Bombers
Essendon has signed the son of club great James Hird as a Category B rookie.
Tom Hird will join the club on a two-year contract as a non-registered athlete.
Hird chose to pursue a career in elite soccer and recently had the opportunity to trial in the Netherlands.
“We are really pleased to welcome Tom to the club as a Category B rookie signing,” list boss Adrian Dodoro said.
“Tom trained with our club in early 2019 after being granted permission to train in accordance with AFL rules. We have been following him closely in the event he chose to return to football from elite soccer and pleasingly for our club, he has come to that decision.
“He is an athletic young sportsman with natural talent, but we will be taking a patient approach with his development as he begins to build his strength.
“We’re thrilled to have Tom join the red and black and watch him develop as a player over the coming years.”
Carlton will welcome back Mitch McGovern for their final preseason hit-out this week as they seek to pull together a forward line capable of kicking a winning score against Richmond in round one.
McGovern has had his training loads managed in recent weeks and missed last week’s defeat to Fremantle.
He will line up alongside fellow tall forward Levi Casboult when the Blues host Brisbane at Ikon Park on Sunday evening.
Veteran goal sneak Eddie Betts, who represented the All-Stars in last week’s bushfire relief match, will also return for his first appearance in navy blue since returning from Adelaide.
But Harry McKay (groin) is unlikely to feature until at least round two and Charlie Curnow (knee) may not play in the first half of the season. The absence of the two key talls leaves a heavy burden on McGovern and Casboult to provide marking targets and kick goals.
“Levi’s been shouldering a fair bit of the responsibility from a key forward role over the majority of preseason, so to have some back-up (is important),” Carlton forwards coach Cameron Bruce said.
“We saw what Mitch is capable of when he gets a really good block of training in, as he did last season.
“He’s such a smart player and our forward line functions a lot better when he’s in there, so it will be really important to get him out there and being able to contribute.”
– AAP
