James Hird: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 23:02, 4 October 2010
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | James Hird | ||
| Original team(s) | Ainslie | ||
| Draft |
79th overall, 1990 Essendon | ||
| Height / weight | 188 cm / 90 kg | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2010. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
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Essendon Football Club
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| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
James Hird (born 4 February 1973) is a former professional Australian rules footballer and coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.
Primarily a midfielder/half forward, Hird was often given free rein by Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy to play wherever he, Hird, thought necessary[citation needed]. Hird was the joint winner of the 1996 Brownlow Medal with Brisbane Bears midfielder Michael Voss, as a half forward. Hird is often considered one of the greatest footballers of the modern era, being considered a certain future member of the AFL Hall of Fame[1] and being listed by journalist Mike Sheahan's as one of the top 50 players of all time[2].
Early life
The son of Allan and Margaret Hird, James Hird was born in Canberra on 4 February 1973. His father worked in the public service, while his mother was a teacher.[3] The pair met in Melbourne, before they moved to the Australian capital in 1969. Allan, who has previously played four games for the Essendon Football Club in 1966–67, initiated the move, enabling him to be player coach of Eastlake in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) football competition. James remained the Hird's only child for close to three years, until Amilia was born, and then Katherine two years later. Despite starting his life in the suburb of Ainslie, Hird soon moved to a traditional 1970s house in Latham, an outer northern suburb. The house was within a kilometre of a creek, and Hird and his friends would often ride their bikes to the creek to fish or hunt for yabbies.[4] When Hird was in high school, he moved to the suburb of Reid, and lived near four large sporting ovals.[5]
An active yet shy child, Hird took ballet and piano lessons as a child, as his mother wanted him to be well rounded. However, the piano lessons only lasted a couple of years, and ballet lasted "much less". He also participated in rugby and soccer, both more popular than Australian rules football in Canberra.[6] Being the smallest child in his Year seven class, Hird often got knocked around playing rugby—the more physical of the three sports. Few of Hird's friends knew how to play Australia rules, thus forcing him to play rugby and soccer significantly more.[5]
Growing up in Canberra, Hird played rugby league football into his teens.[7] He was recruited from the Ainslie Football Club in Canberra, in the 1990 AFL draft. Due to a serious hip injury along with other injuries in his junior football career, he was not selected until pick number 79, Essendon's 7th and one of the last in the draft.[8]
1991–2007: Australian Football League (AFL) career
Early career
In his first season, 1991, Hird sat on the sidelines for most of the season with constant injuries hampering him. At the end of the season, a vote was held on whether to delist him. The majority (4–2) voted in favour of Hird being delisted, although coach Kevin Sheedy voted to keep him. Eventually Hird remained with the team. He made his senior debut against St Kilda in 1992 at Waverley Park, as a late replacement for former captain Terry Daniher. Hird spent most of the season in the Essendon Reserves, which under Denis Pagan won the premiership that season. He achieved regular selection in the Essendon senior team during the 1993 season. In that season he was a member of what was referred to as the "Baby Bombers", a group of young players (most notably including Hird, Mark Mercuri, Gavin Wanganeen, Dustin Fletcher, Ricky Olarenshaw, David Calthorpe, Paul Hills and Joe Misiti) that played a key role in the side winning the premiership that year. In 1994, Hird won the first of three consecutive best and fairests, culminating in his 1996 season, where he was jointly awarded the Brownlow Medal for the League's fairest and best player with Brisbane Bears midfielder Michael Voss.
Late 1990s
A series of injuries restricted Hird's appearances during the remainder of the 1990s. He could manage only seven games in 1997 and although he was named captain in 1998 (a position he held until the end of 2005), he was restricted to thirteen games that year. An even worse year followed in 1999, when stress fractures in his foot kept him to only two games.
One of the most feared injuries for a running athlete,[9] Hird was first struck with a stress fracture of his navicular bone early in the 1998 season. After traditional treatment for the injury, Hird returned for the start of the 1999 season, but broke down with the same injury again in only his second return game. Many feared it would be the end of his career.
Radical specialist treatment in the United States saw Hird return at the start of the 2000 season. Although technically recovered from the ailment, the injury required careful management for the rest of his career.
Early 2000s
2000 was a much better year for Hird. Injury free, he received a number of honours, including selection to the All Australian Team, and the Norm Smith Medal for a best on ground performance in the AFL Grand Final. The Essendon team also won the Ansett Cup pre-season competition, and the regular season premiership. The team only lost one game – against the Western Bulldogs – in the season including finals, making it the most successful year for any team in the history of the Australian Football League.
The following season's Grand Final was a disappointment for Hird. 2002 then saw Hird's worst injury, an horrific facial injury sustained when he collided with teammate Mark McVeigh's knee, breaking or fracturing all but a couple of the bones in his skull; Hird was in hospital for a week and missed several weeks of the season. The force of the impact radiated throughout his face, particularly to his sinuses, complicating the damage.[10] Hird was unable to fly home to Melbourne due to the air pressure fluctuations found in an aircraft during flight creating concern for his health while the injuries healed.
In 2003, despite again missing eight games through various injuries, Hird tied in the Essendon Best and Fairest with Scott Lucas. He also narrowly missed out on a second Brownlow Medal, finishing three votes behind the winners. He was rewarded with a place in the 2003 All-Australian team.
During one of his regular panel appearances on The Footy Show, on Wednesday 7 April, Hird launched a surprising attack on the standard umpiring he believed that Essendon had been dealt in the previous match versus St Kilda."[11] After previously talking to the AFL about umpiring standards, Hird later wrote, "The umpires' interpretation our our interpretation seemed to be different too often, and we felt we weren't getting fair hearing." His anger spilled out onto the AFL Footy Show, saying:
Scott McLaren hasn't been our favourite umpire ... That's something that the club and he have to come to terms with, because at the moment there's a feeling at Essendon that he's not doing the right thing by us ... hopefully the club and he can come to some arrangement where umpiring is a bit better ... I thought the umpiring was actually quite disgraceful on Saturday night ... I just didn't think the free kicks that were there were paid and some of them were paid weren't right, I suppose ... I'm not alleging incompetence. We all have bad days; he had a bad day.[12]
A few AFL players spoke out in the media criticizing some of the media's negative comments towards Hird. It was according to Hird, the first time he'd ever come under media scrutiny and he was unsure how to deal with it. He later took aim at the AFL players Association. "I don't think I was given enough support from them. I hadn't hurt anybody or been found taking something I shouldn't take, but I felt as if I was in the middle of a police investigation." Later that Friday, Hird called a press conference to apologise to McLaren. In a statement, McLaren said:
I was surprised and disappointed by the comments he made. This has deeply affected my family and friends ... but I have every confidence with the AFL rules and regulations and that will deal with the situation appropriately ... I have enormous respect for James Hird as a footballer, but I was surprised and disappointed by comments he made on the Footy Show last night regarding my performance as an AFL umpire. I look forward to going out this weekend and calling it how I see it, impartially and without fear or favour.[13]
The matter by-passed the AFL Tribunal – that he made the comments on a national television program, they need not have determined that they were made; instead it was determined that the matter would be directly determined by a meeting of the AFL Commission, and any punishment Hird would receive would be determined directly by that meeting. The Footy Show airs on Thursday evenings, and the AFL Commission was not meeting until the following week; as such, Hird was given clearance, pending the hearing, to play in the following game against the West Coast Eagles (see Memorable Games). On the following Wednesday, 15 April, the AFL Commission met,[14] deliberated, and ultimately handed down its penalty to Hird. He was fined $20,000, and forced to contribute to a 3-year umpiring development program; the Commission decided against suspension.[15] Hird accepted his sanction and expressed remorse for his actions. In a further controversy, Scott McLaren was one of the umpires rostered for the Essendon vs Carlton game the following Friday night. The pair shook hands at the commencement of the game, bringing closure to the issue, but Carlton fans were particularly hostile to any free kicks given by McLaren to Essendon.
On the occasion of his 300th umpiring appearance in 2008, McLaren described Hird's outburst as a "defining moment" in his career.[16]
Probably Hird's most memorable performance is universally considered to be the Round 3, 2004 game against West Coast – the game immediately following the controversy. It was a close, high scoring game, and was particularly intense during its final quarter.
Up until three-quarter time, Hird had 19 disposals and one goal; in the final quarter, he managed 15 disposals and two goals, the latter of which was most memorable. With the scores level at 131 and very little time remaining, the ball was bounced in Essendon's forward pocket, tapped to the boundary line side, roved, and neatly handpassed by Marc Bullen to a goalward-running Hird, who approximately thirty metres from goal, snapped from an acute angle for the game-winning goal. In the emotion of the moment, he ran to the fence and hugged the first fan he saw, a teenage Essendon fan.[17]
Controversially, Hird did not receive any Brownlow Medal votes from the umpires for his 34 disposals; the media speculation was that the umpires deliberately snubbed him because of his earlier comments; the votes went to Matthew Lloyd (three votes, seven marks, eight goals), Ben Cousins (thirty disposals, three goals), and eventual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd (twenty-three disposals).[18]
Hird's winning goal was the focus of a popular installment of the Toyota Memorable Moments advertising campaign,[19] and the hug is captured in Jamie Cooper's painting the Game That Made Australia, commissioned by the AFL in 2008 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the sport[20].
Late career
On 27 September 2005, Hird handed the captaincy to Matthew Lloyd. After Lloyd sustained a season-ending injury in Round 3 of 2006, Hird served briefly as acting captain until young ruckman David Hille was named captain for the remainder of the 2006 season.
In Essendon's horror 2006 season he returned one week early from a minor injury to lead his side to a drought-breaking win over Brisbane in round 17, 2006. It was Hird's first match since round 13 against the Kangaroos and the Dons' first win since April Fools' Day of the same year.
Hird continued to be an outstanding performer in his utility role when fit, but age was forcing him to miss games through injury with increasing frequency. He suffered broken ribs and a calf strain during his 200th and 250th games, respectively.
Final season and retirement
Despite much speculation that he would retire at the end of the 2006 season, Hird played out the 2007 season, playing 17 of a possible 22 games. Now aged 34, Hird continued to feature prominently among Essendon's best players, and he concluded his career by winning a fifth Best and Fairest award.
Hird played two farewell games: his final game in Victoria at the M.C.G. against Richmond, and his final game overall at Subiaco Oval against West Coast. The games were made higher profile as they were also the final games coached by 27-year coach Kevin Sheedy. Hird was one of the best on field in his final game, amassing 34 disposals, one shy of his career high. As Hird and Sheedy left the field for the last time, the crowd gave them a standing ovation.[21]
Before season 2008, the Archer-Hird Medal was created honouring Hird and former North Melbourne Football Club star Glenn Archer. Since 2008, the medal has been awarded to the player showing the most determination, courage and skill in matched between the Kangaroos and the Bombers.[22]
Coaching career
Coaching rumours
Immediately after Hird retired from playing football, there was much speculation as to whether he would be interested in a coaching role at a club in the AFL, but primarily the Essendon Football Club.[23] After intitially dodging questions about his future, Hird stated in August 2010 "There's something in me, deep in my heart, that says at some point I want to coach Essendon".[24] These words came as a surprise to many, including former premiership teammate Matthew Lloyd who said that Hird had "changed his whole persona in regards to how he's answering his questions... Just in regards to saying, 'I'll coach one day. I want to coach Essendon one day'. Even those type of words, I haven't heard before." These comments by Hird, considered to be Essendon's "favourite son", furthered speculation towards the future of then-Essendon coach Matthew Knights.[25] A rumour emerged following these comments suggesting that Hird was part of an unofficial agreement with the Essendon board to replace Matthew Knights for the 2011 AFL Season.[26] However, two days after Hird's initial comments, he announced that he had changed his mind due to the intense division and speculation over Matthew Knights's future following Hird's initial comments. Hird stated that he was ruling himself out of coaching Essendon for at least three years.[26]
Essendon (2011–present)
On September 28, the rumours were confirmed, when Essendon's CEO Ian Robson and Chairman David Evans announced at an official press conference that he would be the next senior coach of the Essendon Football Club. Hird made his decision to coach after a trip to New York, and on his return, he made a presentation to the Essendon club officials. Hird was offered a four year contract by the Bombers and he accepted, after making the arrangements to his business career. He will remain as a director of his sports marketing company, Gemba, and his role on the television program On The Coach will be filled by retired Sydney coach, Paul Roos.[27]
Media Career
Following Hird's retirement as a player from the Bombers at the end of the 2007 AFL Season, he became a commentator and football analyst for Australian rules football on Fox Sports, a position which he still holds as of 2010. Hird also became a writer for Melbourne newspaper the Herald Sun. Former Essendon players such as Hird, Matthew Lloyd, and Scott Lucas, who had all taken up media roles since their retirements, were rumoured to be the subject of current Essendon coach Matthew Knights's heated press conference following a win against St. Kilda, in which Knights asserted that he and his players were now aware of certain people's position for or against him and the direction of the Essendon Football Club. However such comments were ultimately according to Knights, not intended towards Hird or any past player.
Honours
Hird jointly won the Brownlow Medal with Michael Voss in 1996, the award for the fairest and best player in the Australian Football League. After his retirement, Hird stated that being a member of the "Brownlow Club" was a privilege.[28]
In 1997, the Essendon Football Club named the then-triple best and fairest winner in its Team of the Century on the half-forward flank.[29]
In 2002, the Essendon Football Club conducted a fan-voted promotion to find the "Champions of Essendon". Hird was eventually named as the number three player on the all-time list of Essendon players.[29]
Personal life
Hird married Tania Poynton on 11 October 1997 and they have four children – a daughter, Stephanie (born 25 April 1999)[30] and three sons, Thomas 'Tommy' (born 28 March 2001),[31] Alexander (born 7 August 2003)[32] and William (born 20 February 2009).[33] Tania is the sister of former Young Talent Time performer Greg Poynton.
Hird's grandfather, the late Allan Hird, was a notable player and president for the Essendon Football Club, and his father Allan Hird, Jr. had a brief playing career with Essendon.
Hird completed a degree as a civil engineer in 1998, and in that capacity has worked as a consultant on the CityLink project.[34] He is now involved heavily in football-related media work, but he has also spent time working for a stockbroking firm. Hird currently co-owns a restaurant called "Red Mullet Fishcaf" located in Glenferrie road, Malvern[35] and is an active partner in "Gemba"[36] – a sports marketing and media consultancy firm based in Melbourne.
References
- ^ http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/plenty-more-on-hold/story-e6freck3-1225875246966
- ^ http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=55909
- ^ Hird (2006), p.5
- ^ Hird (2006), p.6
- ^ a b Hird (2006), p.10
- ^ Hird (2006), p.6–7
- ^ Hird, James (2010-05-07). "Why I love the idea of Israel Folau playing footy". The Herald Sun. Australia: Herald and Weekly Times. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
- ^ "Essendon Football Club Draft History". Essendon Football Club. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ "Hird has surgery on facial injuries". Sydney Morning Herald. 2002-05-02. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Hird faces ban over umpire outburst". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2004-04-08. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ Hird (2006), p. 199.
- ^ Hird (2006), p. 202.
- ^ "Hird faces music today, umpire tomorrow". Sydney Morning Herald. 2004-04-15. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ "Hird can now face another blue". Sydney Morning Herald. 2004-04-16. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ "Hird attack a 'defining moment': McLaren". Australian Football League. 2008-04-09. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ "James Hird's Winning Goal vs West Coast 2004". Network Ten via YouTube. 2006-10-28. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ "Judd claims West Coast's first Brownlow". Sydney Morning Herald. 2004-09-21. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ "James Hird Toyota Commercial". YouTube. 2007-01-16. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ Australian Football League, The Game That Made Australia, Retrieved September 19, 2010
- ^ Clarke, Tim (2007-09-01). "Teary sendoff for Essendon's Kevin Sheedy, James Hird". PerthNow. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ Archer-Hird Medal to continue rivalry
- ^ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tim-watson-offers-james-hird-a-cautionary-tale/story-e6frf9ox-1225907024325
- ^ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/james-hird-torn-over-essendon/story-e6frf9jf-1225906547007
- ^ Brodie, Will (2010-08-18). "Is Hird getting keener on coaching?". The Age. Melbourne.
- ^ a b Wilson, Caroline (2010-08-20). "Hird does U-turn on coaching". The Age. Melbourne.
- ^ Robinson, Mark (28 September 2010). "Bombers legend James Hird unveiled as new Essendon coach". Herald Sun. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
- ^ "Winning Brownlow a privilege". Fox Sports Australia. 2007-09-24. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ a b "Essendon Team of the Century". Full Points Footy. Retrieved 2009-03-16. Cite error: The named reference "champions-of-essendon" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "More Baby Bombers!". Essendon Football Club. 1999-04-26. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
- ^ "Hird the Proud Father of a Baby Boy". Essendon Football Club. 2001-03-29. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
- ^ "Hird's Latest Baby Bomber". Essendon Football Club. 2003-08-08. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
- ^ Robinson, Mark (2009-02-24). "James Hird and his wife have another boy". Melbourne: Herald Sun. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
- ^ "James Hird RMIT Alumni Profile". RMIT University. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ "Ready for your order?". Herald Sun. 2008-03-18. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ "Gemba Corporate Site". Gemba. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
Further reading
- Hird, James (2006). Reading the play: on life and leadership/James Hird. Pan Macmillian Australia. ISBN 978-1-4050-3764-8.
External links
- James Hird's profile on the official website of the Essendon Football Club
- James Hird's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Red Mullet Fishcaf
- Gemba Corporate Site