Essendon AFL coach James Hird doesn’t expect his players to lose on-field focus despite their looming ASADA grilling.
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority is expected to start interviewing Bombers players next week – at the same time an internal review of the club’s governance during last year’s controversial supplements program is scheduled for release.
As allegations and counter-claims surface daily – the latest a question mark over advice former Bombers sports scientist Stephen Dank gave the club clearing the use of certain substances – Essendon have defied the firestorm to be unbeaten in their opening five matches this season.
And Hird doesn’t believe the Bombers’ players will be derailed by investigators going head-to-head with them, praising their character during the club’s difficult start to 2013.
“I’m not sure exactly when these guys are going to speak to ASADA, but these guys have been so focused, so committed to their football, such a tight group of players, I’d be surprised if they do take their eye off the ball,” Hird said on Friday.
The club’s internal review, helmed by former Telstra chief Ziggy Switkowski, was expected to be released publicly this week but has been delayed to next week.
Hird said he had not seen the Switkowski report.
But he trusted the club administration’s judgement to release its findings – likely to find fault with some club officials – when the time was right and any legal hurdles were cleared.
“There’s reasons why (the report hasn’t yet been released) and the board will deal with that,” he said.
“The only thing I can concentrate on is coaching our football team to win games. That’s where my focus is.”
The Bombers play the winless GWS Giants at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.