Essendon have dramatically distanced themselves from coach James Hird amid reports the AFL club could sack him as early as Thursday.

Hird did not attend Wednesday night’s club best-and-fairest function, where chairman Paul Little and caretaker coach Mark Thompson made lengthy and emotional speeches.

Significantly, neither Little and Thompson mentioned Hird by name in their speeches – or even referred to him.

Best-and-fairest winner Dyson Heppell, runner-up Cale Hooker and third-placed finisher Brendon Goddard all urged Thompson to stay at the club in their acceptance speeches.

But again, there was no mention of Hird.

It was an extraordinary omission that capped another tumultuous day at Essendon.

Little confirmed in his speech that the club would not appeal against last month’s devastating Federal Court decision.

But Hird apparently plans to go ahead with his own appeal, which would put him directly at odds with the club.

According to media reports, the Essendon board will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday and decide on Hird’s fate.

If Essendon sacks Hird, it could pave the way for Thompson to reject a potential offer from Gold Coast and stay with the Bombers.

While Thompson is favourite to take over from sacked Suns coach Guy McKenna, he made it clear in his speech that he loves Essendon and wants to stay.

But Thompson also said he did not want to take a step back in his next role – a comment that strongly suggests he wants to continue as a senior coach.

Hird and Essendon took ASADA to the Federal Court, arguing the national anti-doping body’s joint investigation with the AFL last year into the club was unlawful.

Coach and club were confident of success, but on September 19 Justice John Middleton decisively ruled against them.

Hird has until October 10 to confirm whether he will lodge an appeal.

Last week, ASADA announced they were ready to proceed with revised show cause notices against 34 current and former Essendon players.

ASADA said they would only go ahead if Essendon and Hird decided not appeal.

But new AFL Players Association chief executive Paul Marsh has urged ASADA to issue the show cause notices, regardless of what Hird decides.

“The players welcome the clubs decision (not to appeal) and urge ASADA if it indeed intends to issue amended show cause notices to do so as a matter of urgency,” Marsh said.

“This matter has dragged on for far too long.

“It is essential for all parties involved to take steps to expedite the process and bring it to a conclusion.

We do not believe that an appeal by James Hird if he does lodge one should in any way disrupt the process.