Was at an event in crown with hirdy as guest speaker. Spoked well about he’s struggles in the past few years. Looked like he’s loving life again which is great too see. Got a signed cap from the great man. Also said he loved facing carlscum, as they knew they would win.
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Wow, listen to the whole interview but if you are impatient, head to around 9.50min to hear what he has to say about James.
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Can you summarise please? For the benefit of those in distant places with limited internet.
And for the benefit of the really impatient 
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He starts by saying that Alan Bond was the most charismatic person he’d worked for. Says that he knows nothing about football, didn’t even know JH prior to being engaged. He states that he is the most honourable man he has ever acted for and was seriously impressed by him. Said he was given a terrible time and that JH is a decent man.
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I have so much respect for Julian Burnside and the work he does. He cops so much abuse but keeps doing all he can in the fight for human rights.
His opinion of the character of James means a lot - and confirms what most of us believe about JH.
I think everyone should take the time to listen to the entire interview.
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I note that Hamish has “left” (been flicked) from SEN allegedly because he has too much work at 7 but in reality because the ratings were worse after his latest sinecure was obtained (he and his brother are seemingly never ending beneficiaries of these parachutes).
One wonders if SEN had had the intestinal fortitude to hire Hird (as they wanted to but were then forced to accepted Gil’s baby brother) whether the ratings may not have gone up rather than tanked.
Anyway, the program cannot but improve with his absence (although it is SEN).
I note that even the EWN Comedy Debate has let Hamish go and replaced him with Tiffany Cherry (seems like a good idea to have a woman MCing the EWN Football Woman of the Year presentation despite Miss Cherry’s less well known “brand” than the friends of Stokes).
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So many double negatives. Hard to read. Head hurting.
Yes putting James on SEN will totally attract better ratings. apart from the first week where everyone will want to see if hes full crazy, then it’ll be petitions for him to ■■■■ off. you live in deluded land.
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Do you mean the Hamish who was Justice Middleton’s Associate just before the honourable justice decided it was ok for the AFL to conspire with ASADA to take away the rights of the essendon players to confidentiality, to not self incriminate and the right to remain silent. This rights being provided for in the ASADA Act and which are enshrined in the Common Law.
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No that was another brother Banjo McLaughlin
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Banjo
seriously?
There’s a lot of stuff to criticise Middleton about, but I don’t think ‘protecting his AFL mates’ 'is one of the more serious ones. He actually said, in his judgement, that the case would have had more chance of success if it had been brought against the AFL as well, rather than just against ASADA.
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You’ve introduced me to a new word today - well done! And what a fantastic use of the word this is - totally appropriate in the case of this particular parasite…
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Would be nice if Hirdy can present the Norm Smith to a former teammate on Saturday (e.g. Bachar)
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Hird not worried about Norm Smith boos
Travis King
Sep 28, 2017 2:24 PM
JAMES Hird isn’t worrying about the Grand Final crowd’s reaction when he presents the Norm Smith Medal on Saturday.
There has been speculation the former Essendon champion might be booed due to his role in the Bombers’ disastrous 2012 supplements regime.
But AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan hopes supporters embrace the 44-year-old’s return to the public stage, and Hird believes Adelaide and Richmond fans will be too busy celebrating or lamenting the result to focus on his brief appearance.
“I think it’s the least of anyone’s worries if I get booed or not,” Hird said.
"I think their focus will be on the Grand Final and the Norm Smith winner, which it should be.
“Grand Final day is a huge day on the calendar and a very special day for all footballers, so to present the Norm Smith Medal is a fantastic honour, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Hird won the medal in 2000 when he was Bombers captain.
It is his turn to present the award this year, and he had no hesitation accepting the invitation.
“Not really, no. As soon as I was asked I was pretty keen to do it,” Hird said.
“Football is something I have done all my life, and having played in a couple of Grand Finals and won a Norm Smith it is a great honour to be able to do it.”
A former golden boy of the competition, Hird coached the Bombers from 2011-15, although he was suspended for the entire 2014 campaign for his part in the supplements program, which resulted in 34 past and present Essendon players receiving 12-month bans from the game.
The dual premiership player has had no official involvement with the AFL since he fell on his sword as Essendon coach in August 2015.
Presenting the Norm Smith Medal could represent his first step back into the fold, but Hird was tight-lipped about any move back into football.
However, he was quick to throw cautious support behind Richmond to overcome Adelaide in this year’s Grand Final.
“I am tipping Richmond, (but) not with much confidence. I think Adelaide is a fantastic team and has probably been the best team all year,” Hird said.
“But I just think momentum for Richmond and their pressure on a day that might be a bit wet and cold could get them over the line.”
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it wasn’t Hamish it was his brother Banjo, who in the past had worked with Middleton.
Thanks my mistake
Hirdy on RSN Breakfast this morning. Talking about presenting the Norm Smith amongst other things. Weird exchange between him and Rama at times, or so it seemed to me.
Edit: read Hardy instead of Hirdy… autocorrect ■■■■■.
I listened… I didn’t think their exchange was weird. If you are referring to the stuff about when Rama first came to the club… it has been spoken about many times in banter between Rama and other team mates - a bit of a running joke… I enjoyed the i’view. James sounded v relaxed - he and Rama are very good mates.
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