But if the board points the finger at Hird — and sacks him — that would be a cop out.
It’s not about Hird, it’s about the players, and rather than appeasing the football world and making Hird the scapegoat, the football club should be devoting all its energies to supporting the players.
God knows they need it.
Some players were in tears after the game on Saturday which is generally the reserve for beaten Grand Finalists.
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To ease the pressure on themselves, their family and friends, some players have opted to bury their woes in alcohol.
They’re not drunks, but they’re not acting like professional athletes either. After 30 months who could blame them.
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Worse is the real concern that maybe up to 10 players will walk away from the game at the end of the season.
Far, far worse is the belief by some at Essendon that the daily media coverage and speculation and betrayal of trust has got to the point where club officials are concerned a player could self-harm.
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http://mobile.news.com.au/national/the-tackle-sacking-james-hird-would-be-a-cop-out-by-the-essendon-board/story-e6frfkp9-1227485805896