Former Essendon coach James Hird rushed to hospital during 'major health scare'

Former AFL player and coach James Hird has been rushed to hospital in Melbourne's south-east. 

Paramedics were called to Hird's Toorak home at around 10pm yesterday to reports of an overdose, but have not publicly confirmed whether the initial report was correct.

Hird, 43, was taken to the Cabrini Hospital in Malvern. 

It is understood he has since left the hospital and is being treated elsewhere.

Neither Ambulance Victoria nor Cabrini Hospital could comment on Hird's condition or what led to paramedics being called.

Hird played for the Essendon Football Club from 1992 until 2007, winning the 1996 Brownlow Medal and All-Australian selection five times. 

He was appointed as senior coach in 2010 and but was later suspended by the AFL over the club's infamous supplements program.

Hird returned to coaching for the 2015 season after his suspension expired but resigned the same year.

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