James Hird sues Bombers’ insurance company

Little said Hird understood he had to accept responsibility for the performance of his team and that the 2015 season had fallen way short of expectations. And finally the ongoing saga has claimed the coaching career of the “Golden Boy” James Hird. The club has lost two matches by more than 100 points, including Saturday’s game against Adelaide.

He was suspended for 12 months by the AFL but the Dons extended his contract at the time.

“To the individuals who have believed in me, fought for the truth and justice, I thank you”. However, at a board meeting three days later, it was mutually agreed that he tender his resignation with chairman Paul Little later saying the club needed a fresh start and a new voice.

Despite the club’s 34 past and present players being acquitted by AFL anti-doping tribunal in April this year, the matter will go before the will go before the court of arbitration in Sydney in November courtesy of an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA). A determined and tenacious James Hird still insisted he could do the job.

Hird follows other key figures, including chief executive Ian Robson, chairman David Evans and football operations manager Danny Corcoran out of the club since ASADA first launched an investigation into the possibility banned substances were injected into its players. No, I don’t think so.

It was a decision that had to be made for the best interests of his club – the one he supported as a child and the one he captained to the 2000 premiership – be it for his involvement in the controversial supplements program of 2012 or for the disastrous on-field results in 2015.

Mark Thompson says he has settled his differences with ex-Essendon coach James Hird, visiting Hird’s house to clear the air on the night Hird resigned as Bombers mentor.