It's war, folks.
AFL: "Listen carefully Hird, Vlad conquers and controls EVERYTHING he rests his eyes upon... he leads an army so MASSIVE, it SHAKES the ground with it's march. So VAST it DRINKS the rivers dry. ALL that God-King Vlad requires - is this... a simple, offering of points and finals, a token of Essendon's submission, to the will, of Vlad."
Hird: "[Deep breath] ... Submission?....... well that's a bit of a problem. See rumour has it, the Demons, have already turned you down. And if those bottomers, and their, spoon lovers, have found that kind of nerve then..."
Bomber: "We must be diplomatic..."
Hird: "And of course BOMBERS... have their reputation to consider."
AFL: "Choose... your next words carefully Hird... they may be your last... as coach."
Hird: [Looks at his fellow clubmen and women... looks down, wind blows and emphatic music plays]
[... "points... and finals"...]
[Directs the truth and integrity at the AFL's face, entire club does the same]
AFL: "Madman... YOU'RE A MADMAN!"
Hird: "Points... and finals. Oh you'll find plenty of both over here."
AFL: "No club... big or small, NO CLUB embarrasses the AFL!"
Hird: "You bring the crowns and heads of conquered coaches to MY CLUB STEPS... you INSULT MY TEAM... you THREATEN my players with SLANDER AND DEATH! ... Oh, I've chosen my words carefully AFL. Perhaps you should have done the SAME!"
AFL: "This is blasphemy! This is MADNESS!"
[Hird looks behind him, at the club, the players, the supporters, all of whome give the go ahead]
Hird: "Madness?..."
THIS, IS, ESSENDON!