Concussed Hird could yet coach on Friday

Essendon club doctor Bruce Reid says a good dose of rest will aid James Hird in his bid to coach on Friday night.

The much-maligned Bombers’ AFL coach found a new drama on Monday by falling heavily from his bicycle while riding home from a training session.

He was left severely concussed by the fall, spending Monday night in hospital before being discharged on Tuesday morning.

Hird’s wife Tania revealed her husband had been feeling “very dopey” and “very sore” on Monday night when she went to visit him.

“There’s no fractures which is fantastic and, by the time we left last night, he was able to talk,” she told reporters on Tuesday outside her home.

“He was dopey – very dopey – and obviously very sore, but he was able to talk and I think it’ll all be fine.”

Despite the injury scare, long-serving club doctor Reid left the door open for Hird to coach on Friday night against traditional rivals North Melbourne.

“His condition has improved significantly since last night,” Reid said late on Tuesday afternoon.

“The medical staff were happy to send him home today for some more rest.

“We’re very happy with his improvement and will assess him again tomorrow to see how he is placed to fulfil his coaching duties on Friday.”

Club chief executive Xavier Campbell suggested the Bombers were more likely than not to have Hird in the Etihad Stadium coaching box.

“He’s in pretty good spirits,” Campbell told Fox Sports.

“Obviously, last night, he was a bit dazed and confused but he’s doing pretty well – well enough to be discharged from hospital.

“Indications are that he should be fine to go Friday night but we’ll make a call on that tomorrow once he’s had time to sit down with Doc Reid.”

Hird has endured a difficult three years since the club’s 2012 supplements scandal, with a recent five-match losing streak intensifying pressure on his position.

Essendon’s spirited drought-breaking win against Melbourne on Saturday looked to have improved his outlook until the unfortunate cycling tumble.

Tania Hird offered some sensible bedside advice to the fourth-season coach.

“I said that to him – I think we won’t do any wet-weather riding anymore. You can take the car, I think,” she said.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!