Matthew Lloyd says James Hird and Essendon ‘need space’ from each other

Essendon great Matthew Lloyd has played down reports linking James Hird with a shock return to the club and says both ‘need space’ from each other.

Hird’s name again dominated headlines on Tuesday after Lindsay Tanner spent his first day as Essendon chairman talking about the club’s old coach.

He said he wanted Hird back with the Bombers sooner rather than later.

Lloyd said there was nothing wrong with Tanner’s comment in context, but that Hird shouldn’t be rushed back into the fold.

‘For (new coach) John Worsfold to stamp what he wants to do, I think it’s best to clear some space from James Hird but James is fully aware of that,’ Lloyd said on 3AW’s Sports Today.

‘He’d never want to stand in the way of what John wants to do.

‘James absolutely loves the footy club and I’m sure he hopes they do well and become competitive again next year.’

Click PLAY to hear Matthew Lloyd share his thoughts on the Bombers.

3AW Football commentator Mick Warner said there was nothing wrong with Tanner’s comments.

He said they’d been taken out of context by some.

‘He (Hird) is only going to be invited to a game of football here and there, he’s not going to be involved in an official capacity,’ Warner explained.

‘I thought it was the right thing to say.

‘He was basically saying what went wrong at the club was an organisational issue (and) wasn’t James Hird’s fault, or David Evans’ fault.’

But he wasn’t as forgiving when asked whether Jobe Watson should keep his 2012 Brownlow Medal, should the club was found guilty of doping.

‘If the Essendon players are found guilty of using performance enhancing drugs, there is no way Jobe Watson can keep that Brownlow Medal,’ a candid Warner said.

‘It’s a no-brainer.’

Click PLAY below to hear Mick Warner with the latest on 3AW.