AFL journalist Damian Barrett says the criteria used to assess candidates in Essendon’s coaching search should have ruled out former coach James Hird. In commentary reported by multiple outlets, Barrett argues the standards ought to have “precluded” Hird from the process well before a final decision was reached.
The articles present Barrett’s view rather than a detailed account of the coaching decision itself. They focus on what the club and AFL considered when setting eligibility or suitability for the role, suggesting that the timeline of when the criteria were applied matters. While all three sources cite the same underlying claim, they differ mainly in how they frame the timing and implications of Barrett’s assessment.
Overall, the coverage aligns on Barrett’s central point: that the coaching requirements should have excluded Hird earlier, implying the process did not reflect those standards at the relevant stage.
