'Guilt-ridden': Former coach slams AFL over Hird silence
A former coach has absolutely blasted the AFL for remaining silent after James Hird's overdose and hospitalisation.
Grant Thomas, who coached St Kilda from 2001-2006, took to Twitter in disgust after the AFL released a statement saying they 'would not be commenting publicly' on Hird.
"I like the way the AFL have come out with a statement of support and concern for James - NOT! Notably absent," Thomas tweeted on Saturday.
"The story here is not the terribly unfortunate situation James finds himself in - it's the actions of those that put him there. Guilt ridden.
"Time for the AFL to provide some very factual, truthful 'yes' or 'no' answers to some simple questions that remain unanswered. Brand is secondary.
"There is one reason AFL has not commented, one reason alone; it's called hypocrisy. They are perplexed about supporting a guy they nailed to cross.
"Polo, couta boat racing, wineries, horse racing, cricket, tennis - there is plenty on to keep the (AFL) execs busy."
I like the way the AFL have come out with a statement of support and concern for James - NOT! Notably absent. Can we get some media at polo?
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) January 6, 2017
The story here is not the terribly unfortunate situation James finds himself in - it's the actions of those that put him there. Guilt ridden
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) January 6, 2017
Time for AFL to provide some very factual, truthful "yes" or "no" answers 2 some simple questions that remain unanswered. Brand is secondary
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) January 6, 2017
There is 1 reason AFL has not commented, 1 reason alone; its called hypocrisy. They r perplexed about supporting a guy they nailed to cross
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) January 6, 2017
Polo, couta boat racing, wineries, horse racing, cricket, tennis - there is plenty on to keep the execs busy.
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) January 6, 2017
The AFL players' union on Monday said they have reached out to former Essendon coach Hird amid growing criticism of his treatment prior to his health crisis.
Hird is understood to be recovering at an undisclosed health facility after being rushed to hospital on Wednesday night for a suspected drug overdose.
AFLPA chief Paul Marsh on Monday declined to comment on whether the league should have done more for Hird but said the union had offered their support to the father of four.
"James is a former player. We have over 3000 past players as members of the AFLPA," Marsh said.
"We've reached out to someone close to James to offer our support and if we can help James or his family in any way, we will."
Former Adelaide coach Graham Cornes said the football world had ostracised Hird.
Hird's lawyer Steven Amendola said other prominent AFL figures had been treated differently to Hird after they had been through hard times.
"From what I have observed over the past number of years, it seems that you can glass your partner, you can sleep with your best friend's wife and the path to forgiveness will always be open in AFL land," Amendola told the Herald Sun.
"But if your name is James Hird that path will be blocked."
Hird's wife Tania issued a media statement on Friday, thanking the public for its support and pleading for privacy.
Essendon chairman Lindsay Tanner has said the club will continue to support its former coach and star player.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.
Multicultural Mental Health Australia www.mmha.org.au.
Local Aboriginal Medical Service available from www.vibe.com.au.