Hird’s recruitment pitch revealed as Bombers race narrowed to four
James Hird is reportedly sounding out off-contract AFL stars as Essendon closes in on picking a new head coach.
The Bombers have narrowed the list of candidates down to Hird, fellow former Bombers player Mark McVeigh, Fremantle assistant coach Jaymie Graham and Adelaide’s Murray Davis.
James Hird in action as an assistant coach at the Giants. via Getty Images
A five-person committee interviewed contenders late last week and an announcement is expected within the fortnight.
Hird has been the most talked about candidate and appears in the box seat to return to the position he last held in 2015, but previously exited in disgrace in 2014 following the supplements scandal that rocked the league.
News Corp reports as part of his pitch to Essendon he has been speaking to AFL veterans including Giants forward Toby Greene, and Lions midfielder Lachie Neale about potentially playing for him next year.
Greene is weighing up a three-year GWS extension or a move to Geelong, while Neale is expected to sign with Collingwood during the trade period following a tumultuous year for the two-time Brownlow Medal winner, having gone through a public split from his wife and been accused of cheating.
If Hird lands the coaching job he would be able to table formal offers to Greene, Neale and other available players during the October trade period.
According to the report, Hird plans to recruit experienced stars to supplement Essendon’s young talent as part of an aggressive approach aimed at having the Bombers winning finals within four years.
The Bombers have not won a final since 2004.
They are in the midst of their worst ever season, with only two wins to their name and little hope of scoring another before the campaign ends.
It would be the first time the team has won less than three games in a season, and will be just the third wooden spoon in the proud club’s history.
Bombers legend Matthew Lloyd - who played alongside Hird when winning the 2000 AFL premiership - outlined just how enormous the job will be for whoever gets it.
“They are just about having the worst season in the club’s history,” he told Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday.
Toby Greene of the Giants is weighing up his future. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“It is hard to believe. This is not just about the coach.
“I think this is just about the biggest (coaching) job taken on, given where they sit right now.
“The coach who gets it, the head of football whoever that will be, the head of development, three new assistant coaches... the coach is one thing, but I look forward to seeing who else they bring in.
“I think it’s five, six, seven people that need to come in and try to shift the performance.”
Essendon has lost a stack of high-ranking football staffers since sacking head coach Brad Scott this year, and interim coach Dean Solomon last week withdrew himself from the race for the full-time gig.
On top of that, disgruntled star Zach Merrett is expected to leave at season’s end, having been forced to stay despite wanting out last year.
It’s an indictment on the club that has historically been among the powerhouse organisations of the sport.
Zach Merrett (right) wants to leave the club. AFL Photos
AFL great Jimmy Bartel believes the mass turnover could work in Essendon’s favour.
“They need full alignment, and that might be the benefit of having so many new people coming in all at once, and whoever the coach wants to bring in with them,” Bartel said on Footy Classified.
“At least then they can start from scratch, build some connection back in the group, build a game style, drill down on development, how does that link to list and recruiting, and you can only hope it’s then onwards and upwards.”
The Bombers face the Swans and Power in the final two weeks of their season.
