I’m feeling somewhat redundant.
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Didn’t say, just saw a list of players from Australia who where there for a combine sort of thing
Would be nice if he got number 49
It’s easy to forget that James Hird played his first four games in the No. 49 jumper in 1992 before making No. 5 his own
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Not sure if this has been covered above but does this mean no Lockyer or is CatB rookie separate?
Meant to add that I’m rapt for Tom. I’m a huge Hird fan so wish him all the best.
Lockyer will be primary rookie list if selected
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Dodoro is a snake. I love it.
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JacketSSssssss
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Does anyone know of what position he plays or considers himself? Height/weight etc.
New chocolate sponsor immanent
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I thought based off training reports last year he was training as a midfielder, but given concerns over height / weight may be more suited to a small defender.
Imagine he will be given a number of roles in the VFL.
And size didnt seem to hold back Ham.
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New Blitz player sponsor?
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I have to admit I’m pleasantly surprised by the article in The Aged. Barely any mention of the saga and pretty much all about Tom. I don’t often read the sports pages there anymore but if this article is anything to go by this Ronny Lerner bloke might be worth reading.
Hird name to live on at Essendon as Bombers sign James’ son Tom
The Hird name is set to live on at Essendon for a fourth generation, with club legend James’ son Tom signed as a Category B rookie by the Bombers.
Tom Hird has signed a two-year contract with Essendon as a non-registered athlete. He chose to pursue a career in soccer in the last few years and recently trialled in the Netherlands.
A non-registered player can be signed by any club at any time, provided they have not played Australian rules football at any level for three years.
The teenager will follow in the footsteps of father James, grandfather Allan and great grandfather Allan snr as Hirds to be listed by the Bombers.
Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro said that club would take a long-term approach to Tom’s development.
“We are really pleased to welcome Tom to the club as a Category B rookie signing,” Dodoro said.
"Tom trained with our club in early 2019 after being granted permission to train in accordance with AFL rules.
Tom Hird today.
He is a long way from what he might be but you can see some signs. His hands in tight, decision-making and left foot are all nice. His fitness is also good.
"We have been following him closely in the event he chose to return to football from elite soccer and pleasingly for our club, he has come to that decision.
"He is an athletic young sportsman with natural talent, but we will be taking a patient approach with his development as he begins to build his strength.
“We’re thrilled to have Tom join the red and black and watch him develop as a player over the coming years.”
Hird has previously said Tom and his other two sons, Alex and William, were budding soccer players who were juniors at NPL Victoria side Port Melbourne.
Tom, the eldest of the three, had a trial at Stoke City three years ago and Hird said in September last year on an ABC podcast with Santo, Sam and Ed that his sons were “definitely going down the football route rather than the AFL route”.
“He [Tom] did really well [in his trial with Stoke City]. But the fact they wanted him to go over there and stay there, at the time he was 15 going into year 10 I think, and there’s no way – this child’s going to come back and get his education,” Hird said.
James Hird and wife Tania with their children, including Tom (centre) in 2010, when James was appointed coach of Essendon.CREDIT:CRAIG ABRAHAM
"They love their football, they’re passionate about it, they train really hard, they play for hour after hour and they’re definitely going down the football route rather than the AFL route.
“Our boys are playing at Port Melbourne at the moment in the NPL and they’re having a great experience – great coaching. They’re not the best team, they’re not the worst team, but they get good coaching, looked after and if they’re good enough, I’m sure there’s way for them to find their way to the next level.”
Tom’s father James is not only one of the greatest players in the history of the Essendon Football Club, but also one of the all-time greats of Aussie rules.
He coached Essendon from the end of 2010 until 2014, when he was suspended over his role in the supplements program at the club. He returned to coach Essendon in 2015, but resigned in August of that year after a poor run of results.
Allan snr played 102 of his 154 VFL games for the Bombers, including the 1942 premiership, while Allan jnr played four matches in 1966-67.
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Tom Hird > Tom wallis > Tom Bellchambers’ pants
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… and possibly a Fletcher as well.
This is seriously good news for all involved with Essendon.
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Watched a few of his games at Port Melbourne Sharks Soccer Club. NPL is one step below the A League and they may even face A League clubs in the cup, All of the Hird boys can bloody play!
Very interesting career choices ahead for all
Luv ya already Hirdy J.
It’s fairly interesting timing. The fact that he hasn’t trained with us at all this pre season (until today apparently), indicates it was a very recent decision to ditch soccer. I can only imagine he was knocked back after his Dutch trial, but if he was keen enough and good enough to get a trial in Europe, why wouldn’t he just fall back to playing the Aus league? I don’t know enough about soccer to understand how this might have played out.
In any event, from what I saw of him training with us pre season 2019, he looks too small to be an AFL player. At his size, you need some pretty special attribute, and he will have the additional handicap of having missed almost all of what others get in the way of junior development. He would be starting a long way back.
Nonetheless, it’s a pretty nice thing to have him on the list.
PS What about his brothers? Alex is 16, Will is 11. I wonder do they play afl or soccer (or neither)?
Edit - I see they are both also playing soccer at Port Melbourne
Could have a few options. Stay in Europe and play in a lower league (maybe somewhere like the Greek or Turkish 2nd division) or comeback and play NPL (2nd tier) or at Toms age get on an A League youth team.
Is he any good?
