Long: Why the time is right for Hird’s Essendon return

The time is right for James Hird to return to Essendon.

That is according to Bombers legend Michael Long who has supreme confidence that Hird is the man to bring back the love and passion for the red and black.

Norm Smith Medallist Long won two premierships alongside Hird in 1993 and 2000, and was vice-captain to the legendary skipper late in his career.

Long recently met with Hird for lunch - on the day Brad Scott was sacked - and was informed immediately that one of the club’s greatest ever players was interested in returning to the hot seat.

“I actually had lunch with him the day that it broke that (the club) parted ways with Brad,” Long said on SEN’s Sportsday.

“It was just a catching up lunch, Mark Robinson was there, and Hirdy spoke to me. It was a bit of a deep and meaningful.

“I was there for the free lunch which I had to pay for anyway, so thank you Hirdy.

“But he said, ‘Longy, I want to coach, I want to get back and coach our club and bring back the love’. He spoke about the history of his father (Allan) and grandfather (Allan Snr) which goes back further than me being at the club, so it means so much to Hirdy.

“He’s passionate, he wants to bring back the supporters and bring back the Essendon spirit.”

Hird’s two stints as Essendon head coach were shrouded in drama as the supplements saga rocked the club.

But Long firmly believes his good mate has now paid his penance.

“I’ve served under Hirdy as a vice-captain, I know that he's a good man, James Hird,” Long continued.

“Nothing's perfect in life and he's gone through some hurdles and he's owned that. It’s been about 14 years since all that happened. He’s gone through his own personal challenges.

“One thing I know about Hirdy is he's an honest man and he loves the game like anyone else. They asked him the question and he answered honestly, and he said, ‘I love the club’. I haven't heard anyone say that as a past player.

“That's the connection he has with the club and history and it’s pretty genuine.

“You've seen the coaches that have come into our club, with great intentions and no disrespect to any of them, but it hasn't happened.”

Long, who has spoken with some other club greats about the prospect, is fully behind Hird’s potential comeback.

He says Essendon president Andrew Welsh and those making the decisions should think with their “heart” and “soul” for the good of the club.

“I’m a Hird supporter, I think he'll bring back so much,” he said further.

“I think Hirdy brings the club, our supporters, our members and people across Australia, but more importantly, bring back the culture and the history of our club because I think we're on our knees as a club and I don't like to see that.

“Speaking to Kevin Sheedy, I was talking to other players, I just think we need to bring back the history and culture of our club because it's not where it should be and this is unfamiliar territory for the Essendon Football Club.

“I think it's time. I believe in process, but you've got to think with your heart and your soul.

“There's a long history with James Hird and the Essendon Football Club.”

Listen to Long’s passionate please below: