‘In trouble’ James Hird’s career game is proof Richmond won’t be affected by off-field dramaSeptember 12, 2020 12:32pm
by David Zita
FOX SPORTSEssendon champion Matthew Lloyd has recalled a torrid off-field week for teammate James Hird in 2004, which culminated in a match-winning performance, to explain why Richmond may not be adversely affected by the litany of missteps they’ve made in between games in 2020.
The Tigers once again showcased their ability to compartmentalise distractions when playing the game, defeating fellow premiership contenders Geelong on Friday night, a week after Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones’s breach of league protocols that saw them suspended and sent home.
Speaking on 3AW, Lloyd said the best players and teams are often galvanised in times of off-field drama, citing Hird’s performance after a week where he was fined $20,000 for a verbal attack on umpire Scott McLaren.
In the build-up to Essendon’s Round 3 game against West Coast, Hird appeared on The Footy Show, during which he labelled some of the umpiring in his side’s Round 2 loss to St Kilda as “quite disgraceful”, claiming that McLaren had wronged Essendon.
Lloyd recalled a conversation with Hird in the aftermath of those comments, with Hird telling him, “You would not believe it, I could hardly get out of my front gate, there were cameras everywhere, I’m in serious trouble from what I said last night, I think it might take me to court.”
Despite the horror lead-in to his side’s clash with West Coast, Hird played one of the greatest games of his career, booting the match-winning goal and hugging a crowd member in a final quarter where he had a stunning 15 disposals and six clearances.
“It was amazing his ability to get back on the field,” Lloyd reflected.
“Football players’ field is a sanctuary. They’ve got that much going on, there might be guys with gambling problems or going through a divorce but it’s amazing their ability to then perform on the field. That’s where they’re at their happiest at times.”
Richmond’s year has been soured by several off-field incidents, including two players apologising for inappropriately touching teammate Mabior Chol, Trent and Brooke Cotchin considering leaving the Queensland hub after the latter’s breach of league protocol, and Damien Hardwick directing a personal attack on Melbourne great David Schwarz after criticism of Tom Lynch’s on-field behaviour.
Lloyd believed those incidents are unlikely to adversely affect Richmond’s push for a third premiership in four years.
“I don’t think it will affect them too much,” he said.
“If they were losing games we’d be smashing their culture, but they’re getting protected by their winning, no doubt about that. I think it won’t affect too many players at all.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2020-james-hird-west-coast-eagles-2004-richmond-offfield-drama-tigers-matthew-lloyd-afl-hub-breach/news-story/2139ae6550dd2961441b7c85ddc072f9
