Jake Melksham shares support for James Hird amid club’s ongoing struggles; Will Day out injured for Hawthorn Hawks; Jeremy Howe out injured for Collingwood Magpies
Oliver Caffrey
Updated ,first published
In today’s AFL Briefing:
- Former Bomber Jake Melksham has received a coaching offer from James Hird after facing his former teammate for the first time in more than a decade.
- Hawthorn have ruled out Will Day, while Collingwood will not play Jeremy Howe against the Blues this week.
‘Bizarre’ meeting fuels support for Hird’s coaching bid
Jake Melksham, Essendon’s last active AFL player of the reinforcement period, has backed James Hird’s bid to return as Bombers’ coach.
Currently playing a key 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 chairman Andrew Welsh, who chaired the panel to select the club’s next senior coach.
Hird met with Bombers officials this week and revealed he was “all in” about wanting to coach Essendon again.
“Andrew Welsh is a good friend and a former teammate. I know he’ll make the right decision on who he thinks is the right person and probably won’t give in to outside noise,” Melksham said.
“But if Hirdy and Hirdy want to do it, then yes, I support it.”
Melksham revealed that he faced Hird for the first time in over a decade when Melbourne’s VFL team played Port Melbourne, where Hird is director of coaching, on 5 July.
“I actually saw Hirdy… I hadn’t seen him in 11 years, since the press conference. [when he left Essendon]said Melksham.
“It was really nice to see him and hug him and see how he was going.
“It was a bit weird and weird but we had a little chat and he’s on the positive side. If he wants to do it and they think he’s the guy, then do it.”
Melksham moved to the Demons ahead of the 2016 season but was among 34 former and current Essendon players sidelined for 12 months when the Tribunal of Arbitration for Sport overturned the AFL anti-doping tribunal’s not guilty verdict.
Hird accepted a one-year coaching ban for the 2014 season for his actions in Essendon’s reinforcements program in 2012.
The Bombers are heading for their first wooden spoon since 2016, having lost 29 of their last 30 games.
Essendon, the club with the most VFL/AFL titles, have not won a final match since 2004.
“I haven’t been at the club for 11 years, as a former player and now as a spectator,” Melksham said. “I just want them to start doing good things and have some kind of positive outlook and some hope.”
AAP
One day for the Hawks, Howe for the Pies
Hawthorn star Will Day has suffered another injury but coach Sam Mitchell is confident the midfielder will not be out of action for long.
Day will miss the Hawks’ MCG clash against Richmond with a corked calf as crafty forward Nick Watson returns from a hamstring injury.
Mitchell said Day was always going to be dealt with at some point, with the calf issue causing the problem this week.
The 25-year-old midfielder has played six games so far, returning to the third-placed Hawks in round 12 after a shoulder reconstruction in January.
Key defender Josh Battle will start against the Tigers after having his appendix removed two weeks ago, as will Josh Weddle, who is returning from suspension.
“Will Day will not play… he has a fungus in his calf and will not be able to practice today,” Mitchell said Wednesday.
“There were about 14 games between when he came back at the end of the season and we knew he wasn’t going to play 14 games in a row.
“Just one [week] – we knew he had to miss anyway, so that’s probably why he made the decision.”
Mitchell said there were no plans to re-manage Day before the finals. “I don’t think so. So it depends on what happens,” Mitchell said.
Elsewhere, Collingwood have left Jeremy Howe out of action after the key defender suffered hip and groin pain following last week’s win over North Melbourne.
Lachie Schultz also suffered an ankle injury against the Kangaroos and could miss up to four weeks with a low-grade syndesmosis injury.
Fellow defender Isaac Quaynor (ankle) proved fit to face Carlton and coach Craig McRae confirmed Harvey Harrison and Charlie West would return to the team.
“Howey won’t play, but Q will be back. It’s good to have Q back,” McRae said.
“It was very close last week and Howey has a little problem and should be available after a five-day break.
“We can claim to have pushed him to the line but he could be at risk of further injury so we will leave him out this week.
“There’s some wear and tear this time of year for a guy who is in his 16th season.”
The Blues have George Hewett (back) while Jacob Weitering (calf) remains targeted for a return in round 23.
Meanwhile, Fremantle star Shai Bolton was rested for the leaders’ meeting with Port Adelaide.
Longmuir did not shed light on Bolton midfielder’s health but the 27-year-old is managing a hand problem.
Hayden Young returns to Bolton after a groin injury, while Ruck Mason Cox retains his place ahead of Sean Darcy.
AAP
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