UPDATE, 3:21pm — Tania Hird breaks her silence.
“We wish to express our appreciation for the public support that has been given to James and our family since news of his hospitalisation became known,” Tania said in a statement on Friday.
“At this time James and the Hird family are in need of privacy.
“We ask that this privacy be respected.
“We particularly ask this of the media contingent currently gathered at our house.
“James’ health is our primary focus and concern.
“We will [be] making no further comment.”
UPDATE, 2:43pm — Essendon statement.
Essendon Chairman Lindsay Tanner has released a short statement of support for James Hird:
“On behalf of the entire Essendon family our thoughts are with James Hird and his family.
“This is a personal and private matter and we ask the media to respect the privacy of James and his family.
“The Club will continue to offer its support to James and the Hird family.”
EARLIER…
Fox Sports Julian de Stoop says there were some concerns for James Hird’s wellbeing prior to the suspected drug overdose that saw him rushed to hospital on Wednesday night.
“There is a report this morning that a couple of current Essendon officials were a little bit worried about James’ welfare in the last couple of months,” de Stoop told FIVEAA brekkie.
“A couple of private things that he would normally attend, like the 2000 premiership team, they have a couple of catch-ups every year that James has attended. He didn’t attend the last couple and I think there has been a little bit of concern how he’s coping.”
LISTEN HERE:
According to the Seven Network, an ambulance was called to Hird’s Toorak home on Wednesday night for an “intentional poisoning overdose”.
Hird was reportedly taken to Cabrini Hospital in Malvern, in Melbourne’s south, but left the hospital on Thursday and continued to receive care elsewhere.
Neither Cabrini Hospital nor Ambulance Victoria would confirm the report or provide further comment because of patient confidentiality issues.
Hird resigned as Essendon coach in August 2015 with his reputation irreparably damaged by the club’s supplements saga.
The 43-year-old’s tenure as coach was thrown into turmoil over the 2012 supplements program and subsequent ASADA investigation, which led to 34 past and present Bombers being banned for the 2016 season.
He later apologised to the players and their families for breaking his promise to create a safe environment for Essendon, while claiming his own trust had been broken by others at the club.
Hird was left facing legal bills of almost $700,000 in May when the Victorian Supreme Court dismissed his bid to have Essendon’s insurer pay for court action he took to protect his reputation.
“Behind closed doors this clearly had maybe a bigger impact than everyone thought. He’s got some major issues that he needs to deal with,” de Stoop said.
“Obviously James Hird has polarised opinion in the last three or four years, but I think even his harshest critics are pretty concerned for him.”
Before the supplements saga, Hird had been one of Windy Hill’s most-treasured sons, playing 253 games for Essendon and winning the Brownlow Medal in 1996.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.
-With AAP
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