"Not a mouthpiece": Watson responds to Hird conspiracy theory

There will be significant fallout among the Bombers faithful irrespective of whether James Hird is named as the club’s new coach or not, according to Garry Lyon and Tim Watson.

A week on from Brad Scott’s sacking and Watson being the first to go on the record with Hird as a potential replacement, the groundswell of support for the former coach continues to gather momentum.

Hird himself has gone on the record to say he wants the job – a declaration which has divided fans and experts alike.

While some argue Hird has unfinished business at the club and is the only man to save the Bombers from their seemingly endless rut, others have suggested the club needs new blood and that the current narrative will dissuade other strong candidates from applying.

Such is the divide between those for and against Hird returning, Watson has been accused of acting as a mouthpiece for former Bombers president Paul Little who is also believed to be orchestrating a return to the club.

“I’m not a mouthpiece for anybody,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast. “I can’t be clearer that I was on day one; I want the best person we can find to coach the Essendon Football Club.

“Gather all the best people you can and go through the process.

“We are just presenting what we knew to be the case and that it that there is a large group of people out there that want James Hird to be coach. Then he put his hand up and declared he wanted to be. It has become a major discussion in the landscape of AFL football.”

Amid the suggestion that the push for Hird will put others off the role, Watson added: “I think the others (candidates) need to back themselves. Convince the panel that you’re the right person to coach the club.

“Last time I went on the record about having a call from Paul when they were pushing for James to be the coach strongly, he was defeated and they hired Brad Scott. I don’t see why it would be different this time.”

Lyon shared Watson’s take that other coaches need to put themselves out there and pushed through the narrative that Hird has the job secured.

“I think Essendon are open-minded to who coaches them,” he said. “I think they are very open to who will coach them, I don’t think they’re close minded to James Hird.

“You have to be strong enough to stand up and say you’ve been voted in to the position and take control of the place. I understand this is a unique situation.

“There’s a huge supporter base for Jimmy, so there’s going to be fallout whatever happens.

“Carlton probably wouldn’t have James Hird in their top 15-20 candidates, but Essendon is a unique scenario

“It’s going to be a tough few years for the fans anyway, it won’t be a huge bounce whoever takes over from here.”