Coach Hird keeps tight-lipped on sport doping scandal
THE net that has been cast over the Essendon football club tightened yesterday, following former Bombers sports scientist Stephen Dank's admission coaches took drugs that were banned for players.
Coach James Hird was hounded by media representatives in Melbourne, and didn't give much away when responding to questions about his future, in the wake of the supplements scandal that has rocked his club.
Asked about his position at Windy Hill on Wednesday, Hird responded: "I just want the players to be cleared and then we'll get on with the rest".
He said his players remained worried.
"Definitely. This sort of speculation is never good for anyone. We're just keen to get on with the investigation and clear everything up and get into the season," he said.
Bombers chief executive Ian Robson wouldn't comment on Hird's future either.
"We're not engaging in any conversation other than what I said yesterday," he said.
And he didn't want to speculate about his future.
"I repeat - the investigation is ongoing and all of the energies and focus is on the interest and wellbeing of the players," he said.
The chief executive of the AFL Coaches Association, Danny Frawley, met with the Bombers club and coaching staff yesterday, saying he is keen to work with the league to protect the game's reputation.
Frawley echoed Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley's plea for a speedy resolution to the investigation that is under way.
Buckley does not believe any of his players were being investigated or linked to performance enhancing drug use.
Essendon is trying to get on with preparations for tomorrow night's NAB Cup mini matches against the Magpies and the Western Bulldogs.
