Essendon's season-opening match against North Melbourne has been overshadowed by renewed allegations that suspended coach James Hird was deliberately scapegoated over the supplements scandal to protect the AFL brand. In a TV interview aired on Thursday night, Hird's wife Tania claimed that former Essendon chairman David Evans told her husband not to mention a tip-off from AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou when speaking to anti-doping authorities.
Tania Hird alleged on the ABC's 7.30 Report that Evans instructed Hird to tell the truth to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) but not to disclose what Demetriou had told them. She said she was listening on speaker phone and took notes. Demetriou has vehemently denied the claim, stating it was impossible to tip off anyone as he was not privy to the information.
Essendon chairman Paul Little expressed frustration over the timing of the allegations, saying the club had been working hard to move forward. He confirmed the board would meet to discuss the situation regarding Hird, who is serving a 12-month suspension until late August. Little noted that up until the recent events, the club believed Hird was responding positively to their requests.
Tania Hird reiterated that her husband was made a scapegoat, claiming they were told that was non-negotiable. She asserted the focus was on the AFL brand rather than the integrity of the game. Hird's lawyer, Stephen Amendola, also criticised the AFL's disciplinary process, describing it as a failure and likening the commission to 'cashed-up bogans' who acted as investigator, prosecutor, judge and jury.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire predicted Hird would not coach Essendon again, suggesting the advice he was receiving was contrary to the direction the club wanted to go. Demetriou declined to comment on whether Hird's position had become untenable, stating that was a decision for the club.
