James Hird returns to AFL, but not as a coach

James Hird is set to make his return to AFL, but this time as a member of the Triple M commentary team.

The former Bombers coach and two times Brownlow Medalist was part of a Triple M radio team in Melbourne back in the late 90s, but will return this weekend to analyse the Round 2 clash between Essendon and St Kilda.

Hird said he was hoping for an easier return game to reignite his commentary career after announcing he will cover Essendon who flopped to a 72-point away defeat to GWS.

“I was hoping it’d be an easier game to commentate, but after the goings-on on the weekend it might be a bit more controversial,” Hird told Triple M.

“I finished coaching four or five years ago and haven’t had any involvement in the game.

“Really enjoy it, good to be watching it and commentating on it.”

Hird was the 1996 Brownlow medalist and a two-time premiership player.

He was coach of the Bombers between 2011 and 2015, during the club’s supplement saga. The AFL banned Hird for 12 months following the scandal.