No, the 4 subjected themselves to the process and it is part of the process. They see it through like the professionals they are. You absolutely give the other 3 a heads up before you leak to media.
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Then Welshy gets back to Hirdy on Tuesday like he said he would.
No call to unsuccessful candidates before leaking to the media? Sums up how professional this club is.
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Last reply before I go into hibernation until next year (assuming I live that long). Please board, employee McVeigh on the same type of contract as Longmuir is on with Freo. That way we will not have to stump up a huge payout when he inevitably fails.
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It looks like theyāve made their choice. I hope it works out. The fact that he comes from a club who have just been identified to have a massive problem isnāt ideal. Not risk adverse.
Possible board spill. So many good young players. About to add a few more. I expect improvement to come soon. 2 years with minimal improvement will mean we will be doing it all again very soon. 2 years is a stretch too.
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This.
Can we please fark off talk of a board spill?
I get being underwhelmed but the best thing about this appointment is that it cuts off Little and mouthbreathers like that Krabappel bloke.
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This probably happens all the time. Iām sure they wanted to give Cal a leg up here.
Its just this time we have had one candidate giving running commentary every week on the processā¦..
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How do we know if Welsh recused himself from any board vote on this? Also, he is close mates with Hird apparently, not just McVeigh. Why is it so hard to see that Hirdās recent resume does not stack up. If it did, why then is he now saying he may pursue a role elsewhere, when he said at the start of this process he wouldnāt go elsewhere? Maybe the penny has now dropped he needs more recent AFL experience.
All I can say about that is that he is very resilient. Obviously disappointed but still gave great analysis of the games.
I think we made the wrong choice in not selecting Hird, but letās see how the bald man goes.
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I donāt think the club appreciates the impact this is going to have on a VERY large section of fans.
After decades of mediocrity, rising competition from other sports overseas, and being utterly ignored by the club leadership, this is the start of a long-term decline: memberships, crowds, attention will all be chipped away at gradually.
How pathetic do you have to be to time the leak until after the last game because of the anticipated backlash? The most cynical, disgusting and pathetic approach to your fans.
The legacy of the insecure property developer will be absolutely devastating for this club.
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So, Mark McVeigh ..
- Happy
- Not Happy
0
voters
Is there an in-between āmehā
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SPIKELET
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Voted happy but want this.
There is no guarantee Hird would be successful if he got the job. If a large section of fans will not support another coach, even a seemingly more recently qualified former Essendon player, then I think that reflects poorly on them, not the club itself. It is ESSENDON football club, not HIRD football club. I find some of the language around McVeigh pretty disrespectful at the moment.
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How does this club manage to stab supporters in the heart with every single decision they make?
Itās honestly impressive and devastating
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Hird speaks after missing out on Essendon coaching job
James Hird congratulates Mark McVeigh after missing the Essendon job
Aug 24, 2026, 7:05 am
By staff writers
James Hird speaks to players at the huddle during the match between Port Melbourne and Tasmania at ETU Stadium in round 10, 2026. Picture: Getty Images
ESSENDON champion James Hird has congratulated his former teammate Mark McVeigh on his impending appointment as the Bombers senior coach, adding he is yet to hear from the club directly that he is an unsuccessful candidate.
As first reported by AFL.com.au on Sunday evening, McVeigh, a former teammate of Hirdās at the Bombers and a current assistant coach at Sydney, is set to be appointed Essendonās next senior coach.
Hird had been vocal in putting his name in the ring to replace Brad Scott as coach, while McVeigh, Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham and Adelaide assistant Murray Davis were also in the mix.
Hird congratulated McVeigh and also ruled out a different role with the Bombers, but said he still has a passion to coach.
āFirstly, congratulations to Mark. Heās a great friend of mine and Iām very proud of him that heās going to be named the coach, so good on him,ā Hird said on Nine on Sunday night.
āFrom a personal point of view, itās very disappointing. Iām disappointed. I put my heart and soul into the effort but obviously fell short and thatās the way it goes.ā
When asked if he had heard from the club that he had been unsuccessful, Hird replied: āNot yet. But maybe thatās comingā.
When asked if there had been a discussion about taking on a different role at the club, Hird said: āNot with me, so I think itās time to move onto other things.ā
When asked if he still has a passion to coach, Hird replied: āYeah, I think so. Iām obviously down at Port Melbourne at the moment and we have a finals series to play. Weāll see what plays out at the end of the year with some other clubs who have contacted me and weāll see what happens.ā
McVeigh is due to present to the Essendon board on Monday as the club zeroes in on its announcement.
James Hird, Dean Solomon and Mark McVeigh before round 19 between Carlton and Greater Western Sydney at Marvel Stadium, July 24, 2022. Picture: Getty Images
There has long been an agitation among Bombers fans for club champion Hird to return to the hot seat, having missed out to Scott in 2022.
Hird first took over at Essendon in 2010 but was suspended for the 2014 season for bringing the game into disrepute for his role in the Essendon drugs saga.
He then returned to the club but resigned in August 2015 with a final record of 41 wins, 42 losses and one draw.
Hird is one of Essendonās greatest ever players, winning two premierships, the 1996 Brownlow Medal and five club best-and-fairests during his 253-game career at the Bombers.
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membership numbers next year will tell the story of what the members really wanted . I find it interesting that some take the view that a lot of people didnāt want Hird with no proof as much as the Hird people people say they wanted him . 8 thick the outpouring of public jubilation when Hird put his hand up speaks for itself and was undeniable.
to me Essendon has squibbed it, has gone against the vast majority of its members wishes and went with a perceived safer option .
we shall see next year
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Who did Sheedy vote for?