Media reports have started emerging that two-time Geelong premiership coach Mark Thompson will quit the Cats immediately and join James Hird in a 'senior assistant' coaching role at Essendon.

Thompson has one year of his contract left to run at Geelong. But with former Essendon teammate Hird accepting the position as Bombers senior coach officially this morning, it now seems very likely the two will be paired up straight away in what would be an absolute dream scenario for most Bombers fans.

The Geelong Advertiser is reporting that Thompson was in a meeting with Cats boss Brian Cook at lunchtime today.

With the Cats expected to lose star player Gary Ablett Jnr to the Gold Coast in the coming days, to lose their head coach as well would be disastrous.

Hird last night flagged his intention of trying to lure Thompson in a senior assistant coaching capacity.

“The job I've gone for is the senior coaching job, and they've spoken to me about a senior assistant who would assist me in certain parts of the role and I'm comfortable with that," Hird said.

 "I'd like to speak to 'Bomber' (Thompson) but I know he's got a contract at Geelong so ... I think the rules pretty much say you can't do that."

The news is yet to be confirmed but most Geelong fans have already come out swinging on the Geelong Advertiser website…

“Bomber... One thing I presume you are not is a hypocrite. You have spent the whole year preaching to Gary and Co about loyalty. If you do jump ship then your credibility will take a belting,” Anthony h wrote.

Others preferred to put their head in the sand…

“find it hard to see Mark Thompson taking on a subordinate role in the field of coaching.....unless he is looking for a less demanding job. But where is the challenge? No, I just cannot go for this one,” deadsetmad wrote.

Retired Adelaide Crows captain Simon Goodwin is also expected to be part of the Bombers coaching staff.

Geelong have scheduled a press conference today at 3pm

Daniel Bryant