MITCHELL JOHNSON: The Bombers must listen to the Essendon playing group about the return of James Hird

The James Hird coaching discussion is one of those topics that seems incredibly complicated, yet it may ultimately come down to one simple question.

Is he the best person for the job?

When the recent reports emerged that Hird had put his hand up for a return to senior AFL coaching, my first reaction was that it told us something important.

He believes he’s ready.

Because make no mistake, anyone stepping back into the AFL environment after everything that happened at Essendon knows exactly what comes with it.

The scrutiny. The criticism. The constant reminders of the past. The media attention would be immediate and relentless.

I remember when the supplements saga unfolded during my cricket career. Even though it was a different sport, it was impossible not to notice. Within the Australian cricket team, anti-doping education was a constant part of professional life.

We constantly talk about growth, accountability and second chances. If we genuinely believe people can change and evolve, shouldn’t that principle apply here as well?

We all knew the rules. We understood testing, both in and out of competition. We were careful with supplements, medications and even everyday products because there was always that small level of concern about what could potentially end up in your system.

I was always slightly nervous whenever testing came around, but I was also confident because I knew I was following the rules.

When the Essendon story exploded, we were asking the same questions as everyone else.

How did this happen?

Why did it happen?

Who was responsible?

More than a decade later, those questions still linger.

That’s why I’ve gone back and forth on Hird’s potential return. You could say I’m sitting on the fence with this.

Part of me thinks no. He was in a position of leadership during one of the darkest periods in Essendon’s history. The damage to the club was enormous. Reputations were destroyed. Careers were derailed. The scars haven’t completely healed.

Sport has a long memory.

Then another part of me thinks people deserve the opportunity to learn from mistakes. We constantly talk about growth, accountability and second chances. If we genuinely believe people can change and evolve, shouldn’t that principle apply here as well?

That’s where the debate becomes difficult.

Is Hird being considered because he is the right coach for Essendon in 2026? Or is he being considered because he is Hird?

They’re not necessarily the same thing.

If he wasn’t an Essendon legend, Brownlow Medallist and one of the greatest players the club has ever produced, would this conversation even be happening?

It’s a fair question.

And what about the other coaches and staff who were involved during that period? Have they received the same opportunities? Have they been welcomed back into the game with the same level of support?

These are the questions that keep bringing me back to the middle.

What we do know is that Hird still has significant support from former players and influential figures connected to the club.

That support shouldn’t be ignored. Neither should the fact that he has remained involved in football and coaching since leaving the AFL system.

While he hasn’t coached at senior AFL level for a long time, I suspect he’d still do a solid job. His football knowledge is unquestioned. His understanding of pressure, leadership and elite performance is substantial.

The other factor is the current playing group.

How do they feel about it?

I imagine opinions would vary. Some players may love the idea of learning from an Essendon great. Others may be less enthusiastic given the obvious history attached to the appointment. Some may simply be unsure.

But if this move were to happen, that’s the most important piece of the puzzle.

Everyone must buy in.

The CEO can support it. The board can support it. The football department can support it.

But if the players don’t fully embrace the appointment, it becomes difficult before it even begins.

That’s why I’d hope the playing group has a voice in the process. Not necessarily the final decision, but certainly the opportunity to discuss it openly.

I still find myself unsure he is the right choice. Part of me believes Hird could be exactly what Essendon needs.

Another part believes some opportunities only come once.

Maybe the answer really is that simple. The Bombers don’t need to decide whether Hird deserves another chance.

They simply need to decide whether Hird is the best coach available to lead their beleaguered football club forward.

If the answer is yes, they’ll make the appointment.

If it’s no, they won’t.

Either way, Hird deserves credit for one thing.

By putting his hand up, he’s shown he’s willing to walk back into the fire and face whatever comes next.