Updated July 16, 2026 — 1:41pm,first published July 16, 2026 — 7:45amIn today’s AFL Briefing:Former Bomber Jake Melksham on James Hird’s coaching bid, after he ran into his former teammate for the first time in more than a decade.Hawthorn have ruled out Will Day, while Collingwood won’t play Jeremy Howe this week against the Blues.Collingwood coach Craig McRae got a swift response when he asked Scott Pendlebury about his plans for next year.‘Bizarre’ reunion fuels support for Hird’s coaching bidJake Melksham, the last active AFL player from Essendon’s supplements era, has supported James Hird’s bid to return as coach of the Bombers.That winning feeling: James Hird in 2015, with Jake Melksham (right) and Tom Bellchambers.Getty ImagesNow playing an important role as an experienced member of Melbourne’s forward line, Melksham made 114 appearances for the Bombers – including four seasons under Hird – between 2010 and 2015.The 34-year-old also played alongside current Bombers president Andrew Welsh, who heads the panel to pick the club’s next senior coach.Hird this week met with Bombers officials, declaring he is “all in” on wanting to coach Essendon again.“Andrew Welsh is a good friend and an old teammate, I know he’ll make the right call on who he thinks is the right person, and he probably won’t succumb to external noise,” Melksham said.“But if it’s Hirdy and Hirdy wants to do it, then yeah, I support that.”Melksham revealed he ran into Hird for the first time in more than a decade when Melbourne’s VFL team played Port Melbourne, where Hird is director of coaching, on July 5.“I actually saw Hirdy ... I hadn’t seen him for 11 years since his press conference [when he left Essendon],” Melksham said.“It was really good to see him, give him a hug and see how he’s going.“It was a little bit strange and a bit bizarre, but we had a chat, and he’s in a positive space. If he wants to do it, and they think he’s the man, then go for it.”Melksham moved to the Demons ahead of the 2016 season, but was among 34 past and present Essendon players sidelined for 12 months when the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the AFL anti-doping tribunal’s not guilty verdict.Hird accepted a one-year suspension, served during the 2014 season, from coaching for his actions in Essendon’s supplements program in 2012.The Bombers are headed for their first wooden spoon since 2016, having lost 29 of their past 30 games.The club with the equal most VFL/AFL premierships, Essendon have infamously not won a finals game since 2004.“As a past player and an onlooker now, I haven’t been at the club for 11 years,” Melksham said. “I just want them to start to do well and have some sort of positive outlook and some hope.”AAPDay out for Hawks, Howe out for PiesHawthorn star Will Day has suffered another injury setback, but coach Sam Mitchell is confident the midfield gun won’t be out of action for long.Day will miss the Hawks’ MCG clash against Richmond with a corked calf as crafty forward Nick Watson makes his return from a hamstring injury.Mitchell said Day was always going to be managed at some point, with his calf problem simply pressing the issue this week.The 25-year-old midfielder has played six games so far, returning in round 12 for the third-placed Hawks after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction in January.Will Day won’t play this weekend because of injury.Getty ImagesKey defender Josh Battle will play against the Tigers after having his appendix removed a fortnight ago, as well as Josh Weddle who returns from suspension.“Will Day won’t play ... he got a cork in his calf and he wasn’t going to be able to train today,” Mitchell said on Wednesday.“There were about 14 games between when he came back at the end of the season, and we knew he wouldn’t play 14 straight.“Just one [week] – we knew he had to miss anyway, so this has probably made the decision.”Collingwood’s Jeremy Howe has been ruled out.Getty ImagesMitchell said there weren’t any plans to manage Day again before finals. “I don’t think so. I mean, it depends what happens,” Mitchell said.Elsewhere, Collingwood have ruled out Jeremy Howe out of precaution after the key defender pulled up with hip and groin soreness following last week’s win over North Melbourne.Lachie Schultz also hurt his ankle against the Kangaroos and could miss up to four weeks with a low-grade syndesmosis injury.Fellow defender Isaac Quaynor (ankle) has proven fit to face Carlton, with coach Craig McRae confirming Harvey Harrison and Charlie West will return to the side.“Howey won’t play, but Q will be back. It’s good to have Q back,” McRae said.“He was close last week, and Howey’s got a minor thing, and he should be available with a five-day break coming.“We could argue we push him to the line, but then he may be at risk of further injury, so we’ll leave him out this week.“It’s just a bit of wear and tear at this time of the year for a guy that’s in his 16th season.”For the Blues, George Hewett (back) is in the mix as Jacob Weitering (calf) remains on target to return in round 23.Meanwhile, Fremantle star Shai Bolton has been rested for the ladder leaders’ meeting with Port Adelaide.Longmuir wouldn’t shed light on midfielder Bolton’s health, but the 27-year-old has been managing a hand issue.Hayden Young returns from a groin injury to slot in for Bolton, with ruck Mason Cox retaining his spot ahead Sean Darcy.AAP‘Not the truth’: Pendlebury’s fast answer to McRae’s questionCollingwood coach Craig McRae got a swift response when he asked Scott Pendlebury about the Magpie legend’s plans for next year.The VFL/AFL games record holder shut down the possibility playing on at another club in 2027.An AFL Media report this week suggested Pendlebury could be open to an on-field mentoring role, similar to Luke Hodge at the Brisbane Lions in 2018 and 2019, should he not stay at Collingwood.After 437 games for the Magpies during a career that started in 2006, it seems inconceivable Pendlebury could wear another jumper. But so was the thought of Hodge not playing for Hawthorn after his 2017 retirement.Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies is congratulated by Nick Daicos after kicking a goal.Getty Images“I just got asked that question from Tash, our media manager, while we prepared to come to you,” McRae started when asked about Pendlebury’s plans.“‘Pendles’ was just walking off the track and I asked him because I might get that question.“‘Pendles’ said it’s not the truth. That decision [on his future] is his to be made whenever he wants to make that.”Pendlebury has spent more time up forward this season as the Pies prepare for life without him, whether it’s next year or in 2028.Due to turn 39 in January, Pendlebury’s midfield time will be limited even more should Collingwood land Brisbane Lions legend Lachie Neale as a free agent during the trade period.During Sunday’s commentary stint on Seven, Pendlebury claimed he hadn’t yet thought about whether he would play a 22nd season.“I’m enjoying my footy and taking it day by day,” he said during the Melbourne-Richmond match.Collingwood’s future strategy has been a hot topic since their 2023 premiership, having the oldest list in the AFL.Neale, who will be 34 next year, has a lucrative three-year deal to convince him to join the Magpies and provide support for superstar Nick Daicos.McRae explained his decision to backtrack on famous comments about wanting “players not picks” when talking about the draft.In a surprise confession, McRae said it was “never my agenda or philosophy” when speaking on Fox Footy on Monday night. He also said list boss Justin Leppitsch asked him to say it back in September 2024.McRae elaborated on the decision further on Thursday.“You [the media] come to a press conference, ask me a question, I answer it just as truthfully as I can,” he said.Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch.AFL Photos“Players versus picks, and I’d never really spoken about. No one’s really asked me in these forums, so this is a great chance to maybe reset what the narrative is in the football community.“We have a more balanced view of everything – we can’t just be all picks and we can’t be all just players.”McRae is yet to speak to Leppitsch following his comments, saying his former Lions teammate has been away.“It was nothing about Justin, it was about what was asked of me,” he said. “The question was asked about my philosophy, which is the way we approach our list management.”AAPKeep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. 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