Roy WardUpdated August 7, 2026 — 7:14pm,first published 6:40pm7.14pmHird, McVeigh make final presentations as Bombers close in on their new coachBy Jon PierikEssendon great James Hird and former teammate Mark McVeigh have made their formal presentations to win the vacant Bombers’ coaching position.McVeigh, an assistant at Sydney, presented to the five-person panel on Friday, while Hird was mid-week.The formal interviews lasted for two-and-a-half hours and were conducted by Bombers president Andrew Welsh, chief executive Tim Roberts, football director Ted Richards, vice president and former Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro and Essendon’s general manager of people and culture, Caroline Monzon.Awaiting an answer: James Hird has presented to the Essendon coaching panel.NineAn industry source with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Bombers were also finalising interviews with fellow contenders Jaymie Graham, the Fremantle forwards coach in Melbourne for the Dockers’ clash with the Demons on Saturday, and Murray Davis, Adelaide’s director of coaching. The experienced Graham is also in the hunt for the vacant Carlton role.A Bombers spokesman did not wish to comment when contacted on Friday.Click here and read the story.7.00pm‘I will be playing for her’: Berry remembers grandmaBy Lions stalwart Jarrod Berry is playing through the bittersweet emotions of losing his grandmother Wendy Berry earlier this week and playing in his 200th AFL game.“It’s been a pretty big week,” Jarrod Berry told Kayo Sport pregame.Jarrod Berry arrives at the Gabba.AFL Photos via Getty Images“I will be playing for her tonight. She’s one of those big characters in my life who stepped up when my mum passed away.“It hurt the family a lot, but it is nice to see all the family get together tonight, celebrating her life and enjoying some footy as well.”6.49pmCats great calls out club for late responseBy Roy WardGeelong great Tom Hawkins has called out the Cats hierarchy for not speaking to the public on Thursday and explaining their actions regarding the secret concussion deal with premiership defender Jake Kolodjashnij.“It’s hard to formulate an opinion when there has been so little information given,” Hawkins said on Kayo Sport on Friday night.“As a football spectator now, I was frustrated with the process, that it has taken so long to hear from the Geelong Football Club. We heard from Steve Hocking. It was a misstep.“I don’t know. I think there is still more to be played out. I just find it staggering that yesterday [Thursday], they [Geelong] didn’t front the media and talk us through the process of what has actually happened.”Geelong’s games record holder Tom Hawkins and 355-gamer Joel Selwood with their former teammate Mark Blicavs ahead of his 300th game.AFL Photos6.36pm‘Clear what they do’: Lions coach on stopping HawksBy Brisbane coach Chris Fagan knows exactly what to expect from Hawthorn in Friday night’s finals-shaping blockbuster.But Fagan says that won’t make things easier for his Lions in the Gabba fixture.Lions coach Chris Fagan.AFL Photos“It’s clear what they do. But not as easy to stop it, though,” Fagan said of the Hawks.Brisbane, after copping a shock 76-point hammering from Carlton last weekend, hold fifth spot ahead of hosting the third-placed Hawthorn.6.34pmInteractive: Follow your side’s path through 2026By 6.31pmGood eveningBy G’day everyone. I’m Roy Ward and I’ll be tapping the keys tonight as we follow the bumper clash between Brisbane and Hawthorn at the Gabba.First bounce is set for 7.40pm AEST.Enjoy the hours to come.1 of 1