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James Hird’s son Tom is training with Essendon during pre-season

Talk about a sight for sore eyes. A Hird burning up the track at Essendon pre-season training. But it wasn’t James. Bomber fans, meet father-son prospect Tom, who has donned the red and black.

James Hird’s son is training with the club.
James Hird’s son is training with the club.

Talk about a sight for sore eyes.

As Essendon players hit the training track on Tuesday morning, a Hird could be spotted in the thick of the action.

However, this wasn’t premiership captain and club great James.

Seventeen-year-old Tom Hird is ready to make his mark at the red and black and is looming as a potential father-son selection at the end of the year.

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The Bombers confirmed Hird joined the club for the special session, and worked alongside fellow father-son prospect Mason Fletcher.

The son of legendary defender Dustin, Mason will play in the TAC Cup this year as an over-age player.

He opted not to nominate for last year’s national draft after a season-ending back injury.

Meanwhile, Tom isn’t the only Hird to make the move to Tullamarine.

James Hird coaching his son Tom when he was nine years old.
James Hird coaching his son Tom when he was nine years old.

Last year Stephanie Hird committed to the Bombers’ VFLW squad.

Stephanie was a promising junior tennis player but has a future in Aussie Rules if her bloodlines are anything to go by.

James is one of Essendon’s most decorated players, winning a Brownlow Medal and two premierships in a 253-game career.

He was recently welcomed back into the AFL fold following the Bombers’ supplement scandal.

A six-year-old Tom Hird waits for his dad on the MCG.
A six-year-old Tom Hird waits for his dad on the MCG.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/essendon/james-hirds-son-tom-is-training-with-essendon-during-the-preseason/news-story/2e8311e87399b7fa61d47252b8121dd6