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James Hird

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Dean Solomon has plenty of work to do as interim Essendon coach.

Solomon’s dire warning for the Bombers; player contact with an umpire could cost one club $50,000

Melbourne crushed a sorry Bombers outfit at the MCG, but Essendon’s interim coach insists they are not being affected by the spectre of James Hird.

  • Danny Russell and Andrew Wu

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Essendon president Andrew Welsh.

Inside the exhaustive process to find an AFL senior coach

When I hear that people say that Essendon is “different” to other clubs, I’m not so sure. This is why they must run a process.

  • Wayne Campbell
Waiting game: Essendon great James Hird wants to return as senior coach.

‘We weren’t doing it as a charity case’: The key footy figure behind James Hird’s redemption push

James Hird has achieved great success in business and is more empathetic man now after the tumult of the past, giving him the chance to return to Essendon as coach, and live out, according to one prominent supporter, a Shakespearean tale.

  • Jon Pierik
James Hird near the end of his time as Essendon coach in 2015.

James Hird coaching Essendon again sounds bonkers. Which is why it might just happen

It is worth holding an image of Hird hacking his way through the Colombian jungle as you read over coming days and weeks about his chances of coaching Essendon. 

  • Chip Le Grand
Terry Daniher with Essendon’s interim coach Dean Solomon on Tuesday.

Terry Daniher urges Dons to ‘fight on’; Matthew Lloyd distances himself from Hird push

The premiership skipper said the Dons can’t hide from their predicament, but he urged them to harness the example of his legendary brother, Neale Daniher.

  • Scott Spits
St Kilda Saints coach Ross Lyon.

Is St Kilda’s AFL spending spree paying off? The numbers are in

St Kilda’s off-season recruiting spree should have the Saints well-placed to make the top 10, but it’s been a struggle so far – and may not get any easier in the run home.

  • Jon Pierik
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Port Melbourne defeated the Tassie Devils by four points with James Hird an assistant coach.

The Bombers start the next chapter under Dean Solomon with many questions to answer

The win didn’t come but the questions facing Essendon would have remained nonetheless. Sunday was just another day in the search for success that has eluded the Bombers for 20 years.

  • Peter Ryan
Cause for concern: Hugh McCluggage’s form.

Where the bloody hell are Hugh? The AFL’s two-time champs are waning before our eyes

Hugh McCluggage’s form drop has been the most perplexing. The All-Australian is in a funk this year that is difficult to understand. He had three handballs, 0 marks, 0 clearances and 0 tackles after half-time against Fremantle.

  • Michael Gleeson
On the tools: Essendon great James Hird in action at Port Melbourne Football Club this week.

Inside the Hird blueprint to revolutionise the Bombers

James Hird has no intention of dropping out of the Bombers’ coaching process, and has plans to reinvigorate a struggling club desperate for success.

  • Jon Pierik
James Hird on the track at Port Melbourne on Thursday night.

Inside the ‘redemption campaign’ to reinstall James Hird

It began with a telephone message from former Bombers chairman Paul Little to David Barham in the days following Essendon’s 10-goal loss to Adelaide in round two last year. Little wanted a meeting.

  • Caroline Wilson