Rick Edwards

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Training Report – 28th May 2026 It’s been a long time since there’s been this much voice and energy out on the track. The atmosphere was genuinely louder and more spirited than it’s been in years, with the players clearly up and about under new interim coach Dean Solomon. There was a noticeable shift towards tackling and pressure drills today, something we haven’t really seen consistently for a long time. Mason Redman and Jye Caldwell and didn’t train. Nic Martin is continuing to build nicely with his running and strengthening work on the track, while Dyson Sharp looked really strong. Vigo, Unwin and Ridley all did plenty of running, as did Gussy Clarke. Matt Guelfi also ran laps and looked in good shape. Duzz was doing high-intensity running, while Saad El-Hawli trained fully alongside Hayes. Overall, it genuinely feels like a weight has been lifted off the group. The players looked freer, more energetic and like they’ve been given a fresh lease on life. Hopefully that carries over into this week’s game. ♥️🖤👊 #essendonbombers #godons #essendonfc #godons @essendonfc

@CamTaylor2293 Yeah loads of changes Cameron, which I’ll be sharing with my followers and subscribers later

@BomberRicko Any difference in training intent/ standard or structure Ricko?

Dean Solomon calling the shots for the first time at Essendon

Three nights a week on training track, plus gameday and all that comes with coaching for past two years at Port. James Hird's been getting his eye in at VFL and in media. Is that enough to make him a candidate? theage.com.au/sport/afl/when…

@bigdoggitydog @fantasynut_afl “Somewhat of a grind” dog

@BomberRicko @fantasynut_afl 3 nights a week when the industry is littered with blokes who work full time at the top level is not a grind. fucking spare me.

Feels strange to watch this unfold. On one hand, James Hird was my footy idol growing up. There would absolutely be a sense of romance in seeing the prodigal son return and lead Essendon back to greatness. But on the other hand, what has Hird actually done since leaving Essendon to prove he is committed to becoming an elite AFL head coach? Since departing in 2015, he spent six years entirely out of the sport to focus on his health. He then took on a part-time 'leadership mentoring' role at GWS, unsuccessfully applied for the Essendon coaching job in 2022, and later accepted a Director of Coaching role at Port Melbourne in 2024. That is not the CV of someone relentlessly committed to honing their craft. If he truly wanted to build his coaching credentials, I am sure there would have been ample opportunity to do so. A state league club or a private school program im sure would have gladly taken him. But those jobs are not glamorous. They are hard work, low profile, and miles away from the spotlight. It is far easier to carve out a comfortable career in television and then reappear when the Essendon job becomes available. There is a significant element of entitlement in all of this. Hird’s pitch seems to rest heavily on sentiment: Essendon is in his blood, he understands the club, he loves the club, his family legacy runs deep etc etc. It feels as though Hird wants access to one of the biggest coaching jobs in the country without having done the unglamorous apprenticeship that almost everyone else is expected to do. He should not get to bypass the queue because of nostalgia. Essendon must run a rigorous process to find the best available head coach. Past playing history at the club should be irrelevant. The only thing that should matter is coaching quality. The idea that the best available candidate could be someone who has not held an on field coaching role for 11 years is laughable. If, after missing out in 2022, Hird had gone away, coached his own team, developed his craft, and built a compelling body of work, I would have no issue with his application. But simply putting your hand up every four or five years when the Essendon job becomes available, while spending the intervening years working in TV is not it.

@thefrontbar7 Windy Hill?

He played in two flags with James Hird, and played under him throughout his initial coaching tenure. This is Dustin Fletcher’s take on the chances of a return of Hird to Windy Hill. #TheFrontBar | Wednesday | 8.30pm AEST 📺

@PatrickRyen @essendonfc Wow I am amazed by this Pat

Even Damo agrees....🤭 ♥️🖤💪 #bringbackhird #godons @essendonfc

@JCordy37 I knew there would be some shit takes but we have a clubhouse leader already

I'm living in the film Yesterday except I'm the only person who can remember they did give Hird a second chance and he went 5-14 then quit mid-August.

In the midst of the turmoil at the club yesterday it was heartening to see young guns Dyson Sharp and Sully Robey working hard on their games

@reardo34 @Jasperc53 Full credit to you @Jasperc53 👏

Just 1 year early on Artemis @Jasperc53 - good call on May too

@joegarra61 Talk about glass houses. Your beloved Western United couldn’t pay the bills and had to surrender their licence. Not to mention actual cheating by Riku Danzaki, who was charged and convicted by Victoria Police for manipulating matches to cheat on bets. Sit this one out, Joe.

The first step is to admit they cheated!

@StephanieAfrica Very sharp from you! 😂

Blind Freddy can see Hirds the guy

I understand where you are coming from. It's a fair argument that he should have taken a role at another AFL club. But getting down to Bay St three times a week for three years - and working quietly away in the background without the accolades a senior coach gets - is still somewhat of a grind.

@BomberRicko I dont know what it is, but it is not a Coaching job. It appears as though he wants to do everything except for the day to day grind of actually being a Coach, unless of course it's for the Essendon senior mens team........

@Farmblaster @E_Essendonyt @BomberBanter_au @FinalsEssendon @essendonfc Love it Kenny!

Are we back? Go Dons @E_Essendonyt @BomberBanter_au @FinalsEssendon @essendonfc @BomberRicko

@RayeCharles 😂

Listen, at this point even I would put on a pair of boots and run through a wall……. And I’ve never played a game of football in my life but that monologue from Hirdy has given me a new lease on life ⚫️🔴💪🏻 #putthewinedownrachele

"The spirit of Essendon is not there. We are at ground zero... that needs people around the place that know how to rebuild that spirit." - James Hird #9FootyClassified | Watch on 9 & 9Now 🖥️

@7AFL @StephanieAfrica C’mon surely you could have given ‘My Reno Rules’ the khyber tonight!

Brad Scott joins The Agenda Setters TONIGHT ✅ Live from 7.30pm on 7mate and 7plus 👉 bit.ly/theagendasette…

@AnthP_ @AFLcomau 😂😂😂

@BomberRicko @AFLcomau Maybe they’re like most Ess fans & don’t believe that Rich won.

C’mon @AFLcomau this is a bit out of date