'Hold your heads high': Hird

Essendon coach James Hird is urging his troubled team to play with pride. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON coach James Hird has urged his players to hold their heads high, declaring the club will fight to uncover the truth as investigations continue into its "irregular" medical practices.

While the club has conceded there are issues of concern in its sports science division, a bullish Hird said he welcomed the findings.

"I just want the truth. (Essendon chairman) David Evans wants the truth. That's what we are after," he said."

"I believe once that comes out we will be able to get on and play football. Our footy club is going to fight.

"It's going to fight to prove where it's at, and we are not going to walk around with heads bowed, we are walking around proud of our footy club."

Hird's optimistic approach signifies his belief that Essendon's players will be cleared and the club exonerated.

But given the review will examine the club's chain of command and the alarming practices of its sports science division, it will inevitably lead to tough questions for Essendon.

Hird says he is ready for whatever the review finds, aware that given the buck stops with the senior coach he will be central to the investigation.

"My focus is on coaching the football club," he said.

"If we have to be distracted during the week (by the review) we will be, and we will, through this review process,get the truth for our supporters.

"Our supporters deserve that. My job is to coach this team as best I can, and I will be involved in the review when I need to be, but my job is to get this team playing great footy."

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