James Hird’s pitch is tribal. The brilliance of the campaign, intended or not, is that it creates momentum for him, may dissuade other candidates, and is founded in Essendon patriotism.

Why did the axe fall on Scott, and have the Bombers contradicted themselves? We ask all the big questions raised by this decision, including whether James Hird will throw his hat…

Former Hawk Jordan Lewis, who was on the subcommittee to select Brad Scott as Essendon coach in 2022, talked Hird up on Tuesday.