James Hird discharged from hospital
Essendon AFL coach James Hird has been discharged from hospital and will likely be fit to coach the Bombers on Friday despite suffering a severe concussion after a heavy fall from his bicycle.
“James is in good spirits and will continue to rest up at home today,” Essendon said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The club expects James will be able to coach on Friday night but will make a decision following further assessment with Doctor Bruce Reid tomorrow.”
Essendon are due to face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday.
Hird was taken by ambulance to hospital on Monday afternoon after falling in wet conditions and hitting his head while riding home from Bombers training.
Reid confirmed later that night he had been cleared of any fractures and said the 42-year-old was fortunate to have been wearing a helmet.
Hird’s wife Tania revealed on Tuesday morning her husband had been doing well in hospital where he was being monitored, albeit he was feeling “very dopey” and “very sore”.
“By the time I’d left last night, all the scans had come through really positively and he was lucid,” she told reporters outside her home.
“They’ve kept him in for observation and some testing this morning, so hopefully it is OK.”
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Tania said the coach was able to talk by the time she left hospital on Monday night.
“He was dopey – very dopey – and obviously very sore, but he was able to talk and I think it’ll all be fine.”
She said Hird often went cycling because the exercise clears his head, but she told him riding in the rain was no longer a wise idea.
“I said that to him – I think we won’t do any wet-weather riding anymore. You can take the car, I think.”
