Hird lodges appeal amid talk of imminent axing

James Hird has defied the orders of Essendon in lodging a formal appeal against the Federal Court decision in the recent ASADA case.

Lawyers for Hird tabled papers with the court at 10am this morning in a move which is expected to expedite the coach's sacking by the AFL club.

Essendon formally declined to appeal the ruling handed down last month, which declared the ASADA-AFL investigation into the club's 2012 supplements regime was lawful.

However Hird has refused to follow suit and in a written statement published this morning, he claims there are "strong reasons" to appeal.

"The challenge to the lawfulness of the joint investigation was and is an important step in showing that the Essendon Football Club, its players and staff were submitted to a compromised investigation and were treated unfairly," the statement reads.

"If we don’t appeal our players may be stained forever by the innuendo, misconceptions and falsities that resulted from an investigation that we believe was conducted unlawfully.

"It is important that an investigation based on unlawfully gathered information never occurs again to any person, sporting club or organization (sic).

"I have not taken this decision lightly. I believe this is the right course or action and is in the best interests of the Essendon Football Club, its players, the supporters and the game."

According to earlier media reports, the Essendon board was already planning to hold an emergency meeting later today decide on Hird's fate.

Essendon chairman Paul Little, speaking outside his South Yarra office at 8.20am this morning, told the Herald Sun he was on his way to Essendon’s Tullamarine base to discuss Hird’s future.

“There is no plan, I’m just on my way to the club now,” he said.