Essendon coach James Hird has denied reports that sports scientist Stephen Dank personally injected him with drugs.
James Hird leaves the field after Essendon training. Picture: Tauber Andrew Source: Herald Sun
THE blue police van containing the Critical Incident Response Team slowed to a crawl as it passed Essendon's headquarters at Windy Hill this morning.
Another cheeky driver, in a tradesman's van, came to a complete stop as he poked his arm out of the window to take a photo from his mobile phone of the media contingent which was at least 10 deep as they crowded onto Napier St.
The occupants of the police van are used to witnessing far more serious incidents, often when life and death is on the line.
Life nor death was up for grabs when Essendon chairman David Evans spoke at the entrance of the club's offices, where many expected he would announce that coach James Hird would be stood down over fresh allegations that he was injected with a ASADA banned drug last year.
Jobs and reputations are what is on the line.
Certainly Hird's and chief executive Ian Robson and others high up in the Windy Hill food chain.
Essendon coach James Hird joins players for a kick at training. Picture: Tauber Andrew Source: Herald Sun
But Evans made it clear that Hird would coach the Bombers when they take on Fremantle in Perth tomorrow night.
He pointed out that Hird is a person of great respect to the club and, in fact, the football community.
"The board will not be making decisions about the next steps until the processes of the review and the investigation take their course,'' Evans said.
Essendon chairman David Evans faces the media at Windy Hill. Picture: Tauber Andrew Source: Herald Sun
"On behalf of the board I want to make it clear that if any person at our club has failed in their duty of care to the players then we will make the appropriate decisions on behalf of the Essendon Football Club.''
As ASADA continues to probe what substances were taken by the players, an independent but Essendon-commissioned investigation by former Telstra chief executive and Bomber supporter Ziggy Switkowski is expected to be completed soon.
Former ASADA chief Richard Ings says that Hird's case was pretty straightforward as far as the regulator is concerned.
No one at Essendon wants to be the one the firing the gun which may claim Hird.
If Bambi is to be shot, it will most likely come as a result of the findings of Switkowski's report.
Hird arrived at today's training session saying he wanted to clear his name.
Essendon Coach James Hird and captain Jobe Watson leave a Windy Hill training session to head to Melbourne Airport. Source: Getty Images
He left after Evans' footpath press conference in a black Kia provided by a club sponsor.
Hird was with two of his colleagues and friends - football manager Danny Corcoran and club doctor Bruce Reid.
Just moments earlier club chief executive Ian Robson, communications manager Justin Rodski and Evans left in an identical black top-of-the-range Kia.
A convoy of maxi-cabs had already left to take the players to nearby Melbourne Airport for their flight to Perth.
Perhaps it was ironic that both Hird and Robson were in the drivers' seats.
But as Evans reminded everyone, it's important that Hird and other officials in the gun at Windy Hill are afforded the opportunity to talk to ASADA and have the basic rights of natural justice.
If Hird does go, the Critical Incident Response Team might just have to swing past Napier St once again.
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