Essendon interim coach responds to James Hird “Team Hird” inclusion rumours
It is news for Dean Solomon to be included in an all-star team put together by James Hird to coach Essendon next year.
“I first heard about it yesterday when someone told me at the football club,” Solomon said before Essendon training on Thursday morning.
“I’ve never talked to Hirdy about football, so this is the first I’ve heard of it.”
Hird announced his interest to coach Essendon next year following the sacking of Brad Scott, and it was reported that he would collect a “Team Hird” package if he accepted the job.
Names included Solomon, Mark McVeigh, Dyson Heppell, Hayden Skipworth, James Kelly and Brownlow medalist Jimmy Bartel as potential football managers.
“As I said here last week, my sole focus at the moment is this football club, the players and the staff,” Solomon said.
“I can’t look outside of this bubble, that would be distracting and I wouldn’t be doing the right thing. So right now I’m completely focused on my role and I have a big part to play in how we finish this year.”
“Decisions about who becomes senior coach or who supports senior coach will of course be made at the end of the year and by the powers that be above me, so I have no control over any of that.”
Solomon said he was staying away from all media and social media to avoid distraction, but the club’s communications team reported that Essendon had applied for priority draft selection and the Bombers board had written to the AFL pleading their case for special draft assistance.
“The board has done and will do a lot of work on why we think we could potentially apply,” Solomon said.
“I think it wouldn’t hurt to ask this question to find out.”
But the interim coach was uncertain about what kind of young players the beleaguered Bombers needed to climb the ladder.
“That’s probably a question for list management Matty Rosa and his team, they know this stuff a lot better,” he said.
The Bombers will look to bring back Sam Durham (concussion) and Mason Redman (knee strain) for Sunday night’s clash against arch-rivals Carlton, while Jordan Ridley (calf) will also enter the calculations.
“We will see how he trains and how he feels, we will discuss with him where he is after training,” Solomon said. “But I think from here and after the farewell we will have around 10 players and that will be important for every club.”
Essendon interim coach says his coaching panel is examining plans to lock down Carlton captain Patrick Cripps.
“He’s in great form and he’s moving as well as he’s been moving for a long time,” Solomon said. “Trying to eliminate its impact is going to be a huge challenge, but that’s what we want to do.”
Solomon will face a familiar face in Carlton interim coach Josh Fraser after the pair spent time together as assistant coaches at the Gold Coast Suns.
“He’s a great person with a great family,” Solomon said. “We respect Carlton football club and we know what they’ve done in the last three weeks has been really exciting, but obviously we’re planning to get that out of the way.”
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