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James Hird’s middle son Alex joins Essendon for special training session at the Bombers

The West Australian
VideoSecond Hird son joins Bombers training

The Hird name isn’t just living on at Essenson, it’s multiplying.

Essendon legend James Hird’s second son, Alex, has started training with the Bombers Academy, named after the Brownlow Medallist himself, alongside eldest son Tom.

(L-R) Tex Wanganeen (Gavin Wanganeen), Josh Misiti (Joe Misiti), Nyawi Moore (Nathan Lovett-Murray), Alex Hird (James Hird)
Camera Icon(L-R) Tex Wanganeen (Gavin Wanganeen), Josh Misiti (Joe Misiti), Nyawi Moore (Nathan Lovett-Murray), Alex Hird (James Hird)

The ‘James Hird Academy’ is designed to nurture young players from non-traditional AFL regions and potential father-son draft avenues.

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Tom Hird signed a category B contract with Essendon before the 2020 season having previously pursued a career in professional soccer, even trialling for Dutch power Ajax’s youth academy.

James Hird of the Bombers with his son Thomas on the ground before the round 17 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Essendon Bombers.
Camera IconJames Hird of the Bombers with his son Thomas on the ground before the round 17 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Essendon Bombers. Credit: GSP Images/AFL Photos/GSP
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17-year-old Alex also split time between soccer and football as a junior, playing with Port Melbourne but his appearance at Bombers’ training puts another Hird on Dons diehards’ radars.

Hird was one of four potential father-son draftees training with the side at ‘The Hangar’ including Brownlow Medallist Gavin Wanganeen’s son Tex, 236-gamer Joe Misti’s son Josh and Nathan Lovett-Murray’s son Nyawi Moore.

James Hird, Senior Coach of the Bombers kisses his son William as older son Alex (left) looks on during the Essendon Bombers training session.
Camera IconJames Hird, Senior Coach of the Bombers kisses his son William as older son Alex (left) looks on during the Essendon Bombers training session. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Media

The young group, who’ll all turn 18 this year, got a taste of the top level as they were put through their paces in Tullamarine.

With Tom entering his second season on the list and Alex stepping up his push, the Hird name continues to add to a legacy that began with Allan Sr before World War II.

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