Suspended Essendon coach James Hird was welcomed home by reporters on his property this week, following his return from a four-month exodus in France, and said that he “can’t wait” to return to the club.
Hird received a 12-month suspension for his role in the club’s 2012 supplements saga, with his ban set to finish in time for Essendon’s round 23 clash against arch rival Carlton.
“I can’t wait to be back and I look forward to heading back to Essendon,” Hird said.
When asked about when he would return, he said that it would “definitely” be this season, but wanted to discuss it further with Mark Thompson, who took the
coaching reins in his absence.
According to reports, Hird will be given a match day role if the Bombers feature in September, though debate has surfaced over whether his presence in the
Bombers box proves to be a distraction for players.
Current coach, Mark Thompson, said the players were his main focus, and didn’t want to speculate whether his job is on the line.
“They don’t want us to be a distraction, so it’s not going to be,” he said.
“We are not talking about it, and I have not even decided what I’m doing next year.”
A Federal Court trial between Essendon and Hird against the Australian Sports Anti Doping Agency, launched after the anti-doping body issued show-cause notices to 34 current and former players, is scheduled to begin on August 11.
Source: ABC News, Fairfax