Reports emerge James Hird has been offered a position at Fremantle
ESSENDON life member Robert Shaw has delivered a massive whack to the club’s leadership following a James Hird bombshell.
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ESSENDON life member Robert Shaw has backed a return to football for James Hird after he was approached by Fremantle about a role at the club.
Hird, whose reign as Essendon coach ended in the wake of the supplements saga he served a one-year ban for, is overseas and yet to announce his intentions.
Shaw posted a passionate support for Hird after reports of Fremantle’s approach were confirmed on Friday night, while also whacking his mentors — declaring them “weak and gutless” at the time of the supplements saga.
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“I will be there for JH5 (sic) and family if he returns to footy,” Shaw wrote on Facebook.
“Super player — maybe a great coach. At that time, poor as leader/decision maker. I was angry that the club was harmed.
“His mentors: weak and gutless. He paid a huge price. He will lift and rebuild. Not at EFC (Essendon Football Club). Return in time. Enough is enough.”
Hird could return from the football wilderness after Fremantle coach Ross Lyon reportedly contacted him about a role
Hird, whose reign as Essendon coach ended in the wake of the supplements saga he served a one-year ban for, is overseas and yet to announce his intentions.
The Dockers confirmed Hird, 45, was one a of a number of potential candidates to fill a part-time role at the club.
“The club is going through a process to potentially appoint a part-time opposition analyst based in Melbourne,” Dockers general manager of football operations Chris Bond said.
“We are in the early stages of considering a number of possible candidates and that process has not yet been completed.”
Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe said he would be delighted if Hird joined the club.
“Is that right? That would be great,” Fyfe said.
“This is literally the first I’m hearing of it. He’s an idol of mine and that would be unreal, but I can’t really comment because you’re breaking the news to me now.
“Why I loved James Hird as a player? Because he was a gun, he impacted at big moments, but me commenting on him potentially being a coach wouldn’t be appropriate at this time.”
The AFL said there was nothing stopping Hird accepting an official position at a club.
Hird returned to coach Essendon in 2015 after serving his 12-month suspension but parted with the Bombers before the end of the season.
He presented the Norm Smith Medal to Richmond’s Dustin Martin at last year’s Grand Final.
“There is no impediment because Hird had already returned to the game and presented the Norm Smith Medal,” a league spokesman said last night.
Hird could not be contacted.
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