Mark Thompson, James Hird, Dean Wallis among Essendon heroes who will skip the club’s 1993 flag reunion

IT WILL be remembered as one of the most amazing premiership wins of all-time. But with the ‘Baby Bombers’ set to celebrate their 1993 flag heroics, a number of stars have decided not to attend.

James Hird won’t be at the 1993 premiership reunion. Picture: Getty Images

ESSENDON is resigned to not having captain Mark Thompson, former coach James Hird and strongman Dean Wallis at Thursday night’s 25-year reunion of the 1993 premiership side.

Hird and fan favourite Wallis have issues with the club and separately with current and former officials, while Thompson is dealing with a range of drugs charges after a police raid at his Port Melbourne home in January.

Hird is in China for work and considered trying to fly back to Melbourne early Thursday.

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But events surrounding the arrest of Thompson last week, which led to Hird accusing the club hierarchy at the height of the drugs saga of giving “little support emotionally”, curbed his enthusiasm to attend.

The Herald Sun believes Hird is stand-offish with people still connected to the club, one of whom will be at Thursday’s reunion at the MCG.

Mark Thompson and James Hird in happier times.

It’s also believed Hird’s comments about the lack of emotional support were in part directed towards former president David Evans.

Wallis, a two-time premiership hero, was sacked from his football department role by the Bombers in 2013 and in early 2017 it was revealed Wallis was pursuing WorkSafe compensation actions against the club.

The Bombers sent Wallis an invitation to the event and did not receive an RSVP.

Premiership coach Kevin Sheedy said he had called Wallis, left a message and had yet to receive a reply.

Sheedy said he wasn’t disappointed the trio would not be attending.

“That’s their business,” he said.

“It’s a personal thing for them ... I don’t run their lives.

“To me it’s about the 1993 premiership side. If they do or don’t come, it gives me a chance to talk to people who don’t always get written about.

“I’m looking forward to sitting down and seeing what players are doing, like Chris Daniher, Olarenshaw, and Sommerville and Grenvold, that’s what I think will be fantastic.’’

Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson won’t be at the 1993 premiership reunion. Picture: Getty Images

Also missing will be Michael Long who is overcoming an illness, Gavin Wanganeen who has previous commitments and Sean Denham, who the club has not heard from.

Thompson is avoiding Thursday’s event for obvious personal reasons and the belief that if he did attend, it would spoil the night because of an expected media frenzy.

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