Player Profile - James Hird
One of the most influential players in the current Essendon squad is the man wearing the number 5 jumper - James Hird. Showing signs of the form that won him the 1996 Brownlow Medal (along with Michael Voss of Brisbane), the Essendon captain has lead his side to nine wins so far this season.
Essendon picked up Hird in the 1990 draft as pick number 79. The then 17-year-old originated from the Australian Capital Territory side Ainslie, and made his AFL debut in 1992. He has since played 140 games for his club over the last nine years. He was part of the Essendon side that won the 1993 premiership and was nominated for the Norwich Rising Star Award. Hird's skills and talent grew and as a result, won Essendon's Fairest and Best player award in 1994, 1995 and 1996. The 1995 and 1996 seasons also saw Hird be selected in the All-Australian side and was Essendon's leading goal kicker. Hird winning the Brownlow Medal with Michael Voss, by polling 16 votes capped off 1996. Hird was named Essendon's co-vice captain in 1996, and was elevated to team captain in 1998, a position he still holds within the club.
Hird usually plays centre half-forward, working in tandem with full forward Matthew Lloyd. Although it seems as though Coach Kevin Sheedy has given Hird a free reign to play where ever he deems is necessary. If Hird sees the need to venture into the centreline to generate some spark, then he goes there. His footballing skills and vision have set up many goal scoring opportunities for Essendon via his movement into the centre.
Hird's versatility as a footballer is also evident when Sheedy puts him in the backline. Whenever an opposition forward starts becoming a threat to Essendon's chances of winning, Hird is usually first choice to shut that player down. Even after achieving that goal, Hird can then be seen running out of the backline to continue setting up attacks for his forward playing team-mates.
Hird's season last year was deemed a minor miracle. A career-threatening foot injury plagued Hird throughout the 1998 and 1999 seasons, causing Hird to only play 22 of a possible 48 games. He sat out most of the 1999 season, attempting to return during the final series. However after getting foot soreness during training, Hird decided to sit out of the series and put all his efforts into returning in 2000. His comeback saw him captain the Essendon side to the 2000 premiership, and win the Norm Smith medal for the best player on field during the grand final game. He was selected in the All-Australian side and also played in the Australian side, which toured Ireland to play the International Rules series. Hird captained that side and was awarded the Jim Stynes Medal for the best Australian player during the series. He was also runner up Fairest and Best player for the Essendon club. The 2000 season was truly a memorable year for James Hird.
James Hird Statistics.
- Number = 5
- Date of Birth = 04 Feb 1973
- Height = 188cm
- Weight = 92kg
- AFL Debut = 1992
- Recruited From = Ainslie (ACT)
- Career Games = 140
- Career Goals = 237
Playing Awards
Brownlow Medal 1996
Essendon Fairest and Best 1994, 1995, 1996
Essendon runner up Fairest and Best 2000
Norm Smith Medal 2000
All Australian Team 1995, 1996, 2000
Norwich Rising Star Nominee 1993
Essendon Leading Goal Kicker 1995, 1996
AFL Premiership Side 1993, 2000
AFL Pre-season Premiership Sides 1993, 1994, 2000
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