Ex-AFL coach Hird in hospital: reports

Former Essendon AFL coach James Hird is reportedly recovering in hospital after an overdose.

An ambulance was called to Hird's Toorak home on Wednesday night for an "intentional poisoning overdose", Seven Network reported on Thursday.

Hird was reportedly taken to Cabrini Hospital in Malvern, in Melbourne's south, but left the hospital on Thursday and continued to receive care elsewhere.

Neither Cabrini Hospital nor Ambulance Victoria would confirm the report or provide further comment because of patient confidentiality issues.

Essendon Football Club has been contacted for comment.

Hird resigned as Essendon coach in August 2015 with his reputation irreparably damaged by the club's supplements saga.

The 43-year-old's tenure as coach was thrown into turmoil by the 2012 supplements saga and subsequent ASADA investigation, which led to 34 past and present Bombers being banned for the 2016 season.

Hird described the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision to ban the players as a "miscarriage of justice".

He later apologised to the players and their families for breaking his promise to create a safe environment for Essendon, while claiming his own trust had been broken by others at the club.

Hird was left facing legal bills of almost $700,000 in May when the Victorian Supreme Court dismissed his bid to have Essendon's insurer pay for court action he launched in the Federal Court.

Before the supplements saga, Hird had been one of Windy Hill's most-treasured sons, playing 253 games for Essendon and winning the Brownlow Medal in 1996.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.