Matthew Lloyd, the former Essendon captain who replaced James Hird, says he has never met Essendon club powerbroker Paul Little and denies being involved in any campaign to push Hird for the club’s next coaching role. Lloyd’s comments respond to claims that wealthy figures connected to Essendon have been working to influence the club’s leadership and coaching appointments. According to the reports, Lloyd makes a clear separation between his own actions and any alleged efforts by other supporters or administrators to affect the coaching direction of the AFL club.
All three outlets frame the dispute around Lloyd’s relationship to Paul Little and his alleged role—if any—in support for James Hird’s return as coach. The articles also note the context that Lloyd previously captained Essendon after taking over from Hird, making him a relevant figure in discussions about who is supporting or opposing Hird’s possible appointment. Lloyd’s position is that he has no personal interaction with Little and no participation in any such push, addressing both the claimed association and the alleged campaign behind it.
