THERE was a strong feeling of distress in James Hird’s voice in the after match press conference at Etihad Stadium last night.
He strongly defended his club and said the Bombers weren’t “drug cheats” and desperately wanted the whole investigation to be over with.
He also said that saga has affected peoples’ lives and it was as if he wanted to give an example but he didn’t want to put any one individual in the spotlight.
The battering in the media is taking a toll on the Bombers and the verdict from ASADA and the AFL can’t come quick enough.
“The sooner this thing is over, the better because this has affected so many peoples’ lives that if it’s not over very quickly, it’s going to affect people’s lives permanently. It has to finish, it’s not fair on so many people,” Hird said after the Bombers’ 56-point loss to Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
“This week’s another week of six months of living through an ordeal that people shouldn’t have to live through.
“I don’t want to go into personal instances because that will all come out…it’s just got to finish, it has to finish.”
The Bombers appear more distressed about any sanction the AFL put in place rather than ASADA’s verdict.
“There’s a belief that the players haven’t taken anything illegal in our football club. Our belief is still strong in that and a report that comes out in two weeks, I’m not sure of the exact date and when it does, we’re all hopeful and we’re all praying that that’s the case because our belief is that we haven’t done anything illegal and we are not drug cheats,” Hird said.
“I can’t even control that (the AFL’s verdict) but I will say to you that we are confident that we aren’t drug cheats.”
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