James Hird to be chased for senior coaching return by iconic VFL club Port Melbourne

James Hird is being pursued for his first senior coaching job in nearly a decade by one of Victorian football’s most iconic clubs, in what could become a family affair.

James Hird (R) while an assistant coach with the Greater Western Sydney Giants. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

James Hird could be set for a shock return to senior coaching, with the Essendon legend believed to be the No.1 target for one of Victorian football’s most iconic clubs.

This masthead can reveal Port Melbourne will pursue Hird to take charge of the VFL club in 2025.

The coaching position will become vacant at the end of the season, with current coach Adam Skrobalak telling players on Tuesday night that he and his family were moving to Queensland.

If the Borough can pull off the mega signing it would see Hird coach his son, Tom, at state-league level and mark the champion’s first role in football since he served as an assistant coach at Greater Western Sydney in 2022.

Hird last coached at senior level at Essendon in 2015.

James Hird and Mark McVeigh during a GWS Giants training session in 2022. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Close friend Mark McVeigh, who was caretaker coach of the Giants following Leon Cameron’s departure in 2022, wooed him back to the box for the second half of that season.

The Giants players loved Hird and the club invited him to apply for the senior coaching position, which was eventually won by Adam Kingsley.

Hird, 51, chose not to apply out of loyalty to McVeigh, who desperately wanted the job.

But when the Bombers sacked Ben Rutten at the end of 2022 they also asked Hird to apply for the job.

Hird was interviewed for several hours by the Bombers’ coaching panel that included Jordan Lewis and Robert Walls and was chaired by then-football boss Josh Mahoney.

It would have been a fairytale return to Tullamarine and one welcomed by the club’s 70,000 members.

But the Bombers instead appointed Brad Scott, despite board member Kevin Sheedy revealing he voted for Hird over Scott.

James Hird at the Essendon Hall of Fame while Bombers coach.

Port Melbourne, celebrating its 150th year of football, is certain to place a call to Hird, if it has not already.

There has been speculation for weeks that the club will attempt the coup of bringing him back to coaching.

Tom is a senior player of increasing prominence at Port.

He has played 61 VFL matches – 28 for Essendon (2021-22) and 33 for Port Melbourne (2023-current).

The 23-year-old has averaged 19.3 disposals this year and polled three coaches’ votes in the Round 13 win against Geelong.

It’s understood the Hirds hosted a number of Port players after that victory over the Cats.

Tom Hird in action for Port Melbourne. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Skrobalak told the Port board six weeks ago that he would not be going on.

He has been in charge since 2022 after replacing Gary Ayres, who was unceremoniously axed after a long and successful tenure that took in the 2011 and 2017 premierships.

Port finished 16th in 2022, 15th in 2023 and will not play finals this year after being toppled by Coburg by five points last Sunday at the City Oval.

It left the Borough at 5-10.

They were expected to push up the ladder after a rich recruiting drive that brought in former AFL-listers Tom Highmore, Roarke Smith, Billy Gowers, Dan McKenzie, Robbie McComb, Sam Philp, Lachie Rankin, Tobe Watson and Kye Turner.

But injuries and a lack of form from some of the signings have brought thin results.

Adam Skrobalak speaks with his players earlier this season. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Skrobalak was under pressure after his team dropped its first five games.

Its fortunes since have fluctuated, from putting the whip to fierce rival Williamstown and ending Geelong’s long runs of wins to falling to the Lions.

In a statement last night, Skrobalak, a former St Kilda AFL assistant, said he and his family had decided to move to Queensland.

“I have loved my time at the Borough and I am proud of the work that has been done,’’ he said.

“I feel we have put a program in place that is built around professional standards and player development and will certainly help the group going forward.’’

Port Melbourne football director Toby Pinwill said: “Adam will always be part of the Borough family and we thank him for his hard work and dedication over the past three seasons. We wish Adam and his family all the best.”

Port said the process to replace Skrobalak had already started “and an announcement will be made in due course’’.

Originally published as James Hird to be chased for senior coaching return by iconic VFL club Port Melbourne