Surely James Hird has the right to provide for his family and make the most of his life with what talents he has, doesn't he? Trials by public opinion, whether through social media or otherwise, tend to remove any acknowledgement that their targets have the ability to redeem themselves for their wrongdoing (real or perceived) and no amount of contrition has ever seemed enough to sate the masses seeking to prove their own virtue by outrage.
No moving from abstract considerations of morality, the redemptive process and mob/victor's justice to a purely football perspective, Hird did the wrong thing. He may have even been obstructive. A penalty was prescribed, and he also seems to have abided by it, though due to the nature of the particular wrongdoing he was a party to, I don't think it appropriate for him to assume any official position within the AFL organisation or as a coach at AFL level (a role such as that reportedly offered by Fremantle wouldn't require him to be involved in coaching, and would be an excellent use of his talents). However, for all his failings as a coach his successes as a player were spectacular, and combined with his general articulateness would make him an insightful and thought-provoking commentator.
Now that may have sounded too balanced. If there's any doubts about my personal views, look at my avatar and feel free to post a jibe at Essendon for the PEDs saga for an easy like 🖒
No moving from abstract considerations of morality, the redemptive process and mob/victor's justice to a purely football perspective, Hird did the wrong thing. He may have even been obstructive. A penalty was prescribed, and he also seems to have abided by it, though due to the nature of the particular wrongdoing he was a party to, I don't think it appropriate for him to assume any official position within the AFL organisation or as a coach at AFL level (a role such as that reportedly offered by Fremantle wouldn't require him to be involved in coaching, and would be an excellent use of his talents). However, for all his failings as a coach his successes as a player were spectacular, and combined with his general articulateness would make him an insightful and thought-provoking commentator.
Now that may have sounded too balanced. If there's any doubts about my personal views, look at my avatar and feel free to post a jibe at Essendon for the PEDs saga for an easy like 🖒

