On Saturday night, Kelty was photographed visiting Hird at home. Kelty was close with Ron Evans and is also a strong mentor to son David and is chairman of Evans' stockbroking company's advisory committee. Kelty has strongly backed Demetriou over his journey and remains one of his mentors. Earlier, it was Evans snr, along with fellow commissioner Bill Kelty, who seconded Demetriou from his role at the AFL Players Association to take over the league's football department. The Essendon board badly needs to keep the AFL on side as the pair work together in their attempt to ensure the Bombers players are not suspended by ASADA.Įvans' late father, Ron, was chairman of the AFL Commission which appointed Demetriou to the CEO's role. Hird's part in the club's irregular practices last season is also being investigated by Ziggy Switkowski.Įvans also has a strong relationship with AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou, who has been, publicly, fully supportive of the Essendon chairman, but said last Friday that the prospect for Hird stepping aside should "cross his mind". Now the chairman must at least question his full faith in the coach until the ASADA investigation has been completed. The two men worked together when Evans held a senior position at JBWere and Hird has clearly gone to Evans on several occasions for investment advice. Witnessing the victory with his wife Sonia was club chairman David Evans, one of Hird's closest friends, who said shortly after appointing the Essendon coach that he would face any obstacles presented by that friendship when they emerged.Ĭlearly they have, and it is telling that Evans has continued to make it clear the Essendon players are his No.1 priority. While Essendon's stirring victory over Fremantle on Friday night made no difference in reality to his role in last year's supplements scandal, politically it was a major fillip for the favourite son at Windy Hill. ![]() The relationships at stake in the disturbing off-field drama playing out at the Essendon Football Club and the AFL are another intriguing element in the saga which takes another turn as James Hird prepares for the first time to face questioning from ASADA and the league itself.
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