In the soon to be released 2003 Essendon Football Club Year Book, Hird and Lucas feature on the cover of the magazine. Following is an excerpt from the Hird feature article – “Never Write off a Champion.”
In the pre-season prognostications of 2003, some critics labeled James Hird as the competition’s fading star. Some questioned his resilience. Others, his ability to dominate games as he had in seasons past. He could lead his team in title but not in deed. Basically, there was a growing band of critics who believed the Essendon champion was a spent force. How wrong they were and how right the old adage, ‘never write off a champion’.
Hird was simply magnificent for the Bombers - dominating, inspiring and courageous. He repaid the faith of the Champions of Essendon selection panel that had named him as the third greatest player in the history of the club. Few would argue on the evidence gathered in 2003. And he now has a fourth Crichton Medal to go with those he won in 1994, 1995 and 1996. He joins Simon Madden and Tim Watson as a four-time winner of the award and only Dick Reynolds and Billy Hutchison (seven each) have won more.
But it was Brownlow Medal night that best summed up Hird’s season. The Essendon captain finished three votes behind joint winners Adam Goodes, Mark Ricciuto and Nathan Buckley. A remarkable feat given he missed six games through injury and was forced from the ground early in two others. Given even luck with injury he would undoubtedly now be recognised as a dual Brownlow Medallist.
The result would also surely add to the embarrassment of All Australian selectors who could only find room for Hird on the bench of the 2003 All Australian team. The Bomber skipper would not begrudge any of the starting 18 their place in the team but in the eyes of many it was a significant oversight.
But for all that, ask Hird what he made of the season past and his thoughts quickly turn to the team. “I think the Premiership season (2000) was probably better and 1996 was pretty good as well. It is always disappointing to finish the way we did, that always leaves a sour taste in your mouth,” says Hird of the past season.
To read the remainder of the Hird article, look out for the Essendon Football Club 2003 Year Book. The Year Book is due to hit the shelves in late November and is a must read for all Essendon supporters. The Year Book looks at the season that was, catches up with all the award winners from Crichton Medal night and also pays tribute to retiring premiership players Steve Alessio and Paul Barnard. The Year Book is chock-full of information about your favourite club and players.
