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Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
See the photos that prove footy legend James Hird and his wife have their priorities right after shock marriage split
Tania Hird has proved her split with her husband James is an amicable one by having a great day out as the footy icon's new team held a ladies' day recently. The former Essendon star and coach is now director of coaching with the Port Melbourne club, where his son Tom plays - and despite their marriage falling apart, Tania was on hand to cheer on the Borough last weekend. She posted photos of her outing to Instagram along with the caption: 'A stunning Ladies Day at Port Melbourne Football Club with terrific company and warm, woollen @hairflairaus scarves,' referring to her accessories business. Tania's photos showed her cheering the players onto the ground, with one appearing to reach out to high-five her, along with a close-up of a smiling Tom taking to the field. The heartwarming post comes after James Hird's decision to get involved with Port was rumoured to be the source of some tension between him and Tania before they split. One of footy's foremost power couples, the Hirds announced the end of their 27-year marriage back in January. The Bombers legend and Tania were together through his highs as arguably the game's best player at the peak of his on-field career, to the shattering lows brought on by the Essendon drugs scandal, which broke in 2013. Incredibly, the couple - who have four children together - reportedly managed to keep their split a secret for more than a year. Shortly after their news became public, a family friend revealed to Daily Mail Australia that Hird told his friends there was no infidelity involved in the decision to go their separate ways - and that he still treasures Tania. 'He is telling friends that he will always love Tania,' the source revealed. 'James thinks she has done an amazing job of raising their kids. 'Neither one of them has cheated, there's no third party involved, but after 27 years they've simply grown apart.' Another source with ties to the Hird family said the couple were eager to keep their parting of the ways out of the spotlight until all of their children - Stephanie, Tom, Alex and William - had finished school. That source also maintained there was some tension between James and Tania over his interest in returning to the footy world as he was tied to a coaching position with Port Melbourne last year. Earlier this week, Hird opened up about his surprise move with Port. 'They've been good to Tom and I felt like I could make a difference here. To do something with your son is very special,' he told News Corp. 'This is a journey in itself, being part of Port Melbourne Football Club and trying to create a good football program where we can have some success and teach and help players learn. That's the sole purpose of doing it.' Hird says he's not thinking about coaching in the AFL after returning to commentary with Channel Nine.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Footy legend James Hird opens up about shock career move that was rumoured to have played a role in his marriage split
Essendon great James Hird has opened up about his surprise move back into coaching - a decision that is rumoured to have played a part in the breakdown of his marriage. The AFL Hall of Famer and his wife Tania quietly separated over a year ago, ending a 27-year marriage that began in 1997 and spanned both triumph and turmoil at Essendon. The former couple's high-profile standing made their ability to keep the split a secret for so long all the more surprising. Hird, now 52, moved out of their Toorak family home, choosing to focus on his mental health and career away from the public eye. A source with ties to the family said there were tensions between the couple over Hird's interest in taking a coaching position with Port Melbourne. Hird has been involved with the iconic Victorian club since his son Tom joined the Borough in 2023, and is now the director of coaching under Brendan McCartney. McCartney was one of Hird's assistants at Essendon in 2011 and the pair have a great working relationship. Some have speculated that he took the job as a step to once again reclaiming the Essendon coaching position, but Hird insists he just wants to help the club. 'It's not (about Essendon),' he told News Corp. 'It's to help out Port. They've been good to Tom and I felt like I could make a difference here. To do something with your son is very special. 'This is a journey in itself, being part of Port Melbourne Football Club and trying to create a good football program where we can have some success and teach and help players learn. That's the sole purpose of doing it.' Hird says he's not thinking about coaching in the AFL. 'My focus is working with the boys here,' he said. 'What are we, four wins, one draw and five losses? We've got a lot of work to do to make the most of this year and then how we set ourselves up for next year.' He says the role is rewarding and he's been surprised by how much fun he is having. 'I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I am,' he says. 'You realise why you love footy when you're in and around a group of young guys, young people who want to get better, and a group of coaches who also want to get better. 'Everyone says coaching is a stressful job. And it is. But it's also … when you're doing it, you're teaching people how to play and helping them get better … so it's a very rewarding job as well.' Hird's illustrious playing career, which began with Essendon at pick 79 in the 1990 National Draft, reached its peak in 1996 when he shared the Brownlow Medal with Michael Voss. He later claimed the Norm Smith Medal in 2000 and helped deliver a premiership to the Bombers in the same year. His remarkable achievements, including five Best and Fairest medals, secured him a place in the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Off-field, a succession of legal disputes and the devastating supplements saga tested his resilience to the limit.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
AFL star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan claims his ute was stolen in startling social media post - but cops know nothing about it
Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's troubled season has suffered another setback, with the 23-year-old alleging that his car has been stolen. The wayward forward, who hasn't played a game this season while dealing with personal issues, posted a story to social media on Monday, appearing to accuse an individual of stealing his vehicle from Bay St in Port Melbourne. 'If you see this fella. Tell him drop my car back off at my house,' he posted. 'Bay Street tax is crazy,' he added, next to laughing emojis. The text was written over a CCTV image of a man wearing sunglasses and a cap, with a Guzman y Gomez advertising board in the background. Ugle-Hagan later posted a photo of a black Toyota HiLux ute. It's understood the car went missing on Monday. There's no suggestion that the allegation against the man is true, just that it was made by Ugle-Hagan. Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia that they 'couldn't see any car theft incidents at this location' with the details we provided to them, said they couldn't find a record of the alleged theft being reported and asked for help getting the 'victim' to send them details. Ugle-Hagan fronted the Dogs' playing group last week in a move that could open the door for the troubled forward to return to action this year. He also took part in a light training session but could still be weeks away from a possible playing comeback at VFL level. The 2020 No.1 draft pick recently opened up about the dire problems that saw him visit a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life and career back on track. 'All the noises actually sent me to a rehab facility for my mental health,' Ugle-Hagan told Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson on the Rip Through It podcast. 'It got to a point where I had to give my car to a mate so I couldn't drive, I just didn't trust myself driving. 'There were times when I would think about – to be honest with you – just not even worth even living. 'I went through a struggle where I didn't want to leave the house. I hit rock bottom, and found basement. 'Definitely (there were suicidal thoughts). Suicidal thoughts would come pretty frequently. 'Especially when I felt like I was on my own the whole time. The way I was isolated and put out in public.' The young footy star says the health retreat has changed his life. 'It takes balls to talk in a group but once you do it, it is f**king amazing, it feels good and they have answers for you,' he said. 'You think you are alone and no one understands. 'But when you speak up and hear people's stories it makes you feel so much better hearing people's stories and knowing they're going through the same thing you are.' Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge last week raised the prospect of Ugle-Hagan resuming his 67-game AFL career with the club. Ugle-Hagan says he can't wait to get back on the field. 'I want to play footy. I can't wait to play footy,' he said. 'I want to kick a f**king goal in front of those crowds. 'I have been watching every single Bulldogs game. I have been supporting them, been watching them. 'I will go to games at the end of the year. I genuinely want to play one more (game), I want to play some games. 'It's going to be grouse.' Ugle-Hagan led the Bulldogs with a career-best 43 goals in 22 appearances last year, but has not featured at any level since the elimination final defeat to Hawthorn.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
AFL star Jamarra Hugle-Hagan claims his ute was stolen in startling social media post - but cops know nothing about it
Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's troubled season has suffered another setback, with the 23-year-old alleging that his car has been stolen. The wayward forward, who hasn't played a game this season while dealing with personal issues, posted a story to social media on Monday, appearing to accuse an individual of stealing his vehicle from Bay St in Port Melbourne. 'If you see this fella. Tell him drop my car back off at my house,' he posted. 'Bay Street tax is crazy,' he added, next to laughing emojis. The text was written over a CCTV image of a man wearing sunglasses and a cap, with a Guzman y Gomez advertising board in the background. Ugle-Hagan later posted a photo of a black Toyota HiLux ute. It's understood the car went missing on Monday. There's no suggestion that the allegation against the man is true, just that it was made by Ugle-Hagan. Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia that they 'couldn't see any car theft incidents at this location' with the details we provided to them, said they couldn't find a record of the alleged theft being reported and asked for help getting the 'victim' to send them details. Ugle-Hagan fronted the Dogs' playing group last week in a move that could open the door for the troubled forward to return to action this year. He also took part in a light training session but could still be weeks away from a possible playing comeback at VFL level. The 2020 No.1 draft pick recently opened up about the dire problems that saw him visit a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life and career back on track. 'All the noises actually sent me to a rehab facility for my mental health,' Ugle-Hagan told Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson on the Rip Through It podcast. 'It got to a point where I had to give my car to a mate so I couldn't drive, I just didn't trust myself driving. 'There were times when I would think about – to be honest with you – just not even worth even living. 'I went through a struggle where I didn't want to leave the house. I hit rock bottom, and found basement. 'Definitely (there were suicidal thoughts). Suicidal thoughts would come pretty frequently. 'Especially when I felt like I was on my own the whole time. The way I was isolated and put out in public.' The young footy star says the health retreat has changed his life. 'It takes balls to talk in a group but once you do it, it is f**king amazing, it feels good and they have answers for you,' he said. 'You think you are alone and no one understands. 'But when you speak up and hear people's stories it makes you feel so much better hearing people's stories and knowing they're going through the same thing you are.' Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge last week raised the prospect of Ugle-Hagan resuming his 67-game AFL career with the club. Ugle-Hagan says he can't wait to get back on the field. 'I want to play footy. I can't wait to play footy,' he said. 'I want to kick a f**king goal in front of those crowds. 'I have been watching every single Bulldogs game. I have been supporting them, been watching them. 'I will go to games at the end of the year. I genuinely want to play one more (game), I want to play some games. 'It's going to be grouse.' Ugle-Hagan led the Bulldogs with a career-best 43 goals in 22 appearances last year, but has not featured at any level since the elimination final defeat to Hawthorn.
Mercury
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
James Hird director of coaching at Port Melbourne in the VFL
James Hird is up for a history lesson. A framed painting of the Port Melbourne team of the century hangs in a room under the grandstand at North Port Oval where Hird and club analyst Tom Williams sit before training. The Essendon great asks for a few of the Borough champions in portraiture to be pointed out to him. That's Norm Goss, after whom the grandstand is named and a man once described by ex-Port player Brendan Behan as 'the town hall cleaner who ran the known world''. That's Fred Cook, who kicked goals galore. That's Billy Swan, a two-time JJ Liston Trophy winner and Dane's old man. That's big 'Stretch'' Aanensen, who also won two Listons and whose death two weeks ago hit his former teammates hard. 'That's why we wore the black armbands,'' Hird, Port's director of coaching, nods. On it goes, a gallery of VFA greats. Hird appreciates Port Melbourne's rich heritage and stature as a football club established in 1874. 'Seventeen premierships,'' he says. 'Going back to the VFA days, I always thought Port and Williamstown were the two clubs that stood out. My grandfather (Allan Hird Snr) played at Williamstown, the arch rival.'' Hird never played a game at the Port Melbourne ground but as Essendon's senior coach he visited when its VFL team played the Borough. Now he sees North Port Oval day and night, and its every view and every hue impress him. It's as if tall city buildings are close enough to cast a shadow on the outer wing. 'You don't realise how close we are to the CBD,'' he says. 'When the boys are training, you shouldn't take your eyes off them. But occasionally you glance up for that beautiful view.'' Hird has been involved at Port since 2023, when his son Tom joined the Borough after being delisted by the Bombers. As a parent, he says, he tried to be anonymous in the outer – no easy task given his accomplishments in the game. He recalls with a laugh how Frankston supporters on 'the hill'' noticed him one night and went the heckle. Port coach Adam Skrobalak used him as a quiet sounding board. They spoke every second week and caught up from time to time. 'He was a good help to me,'' Skrobalak, who relocated to Queensland at the end of last season, says. 'He was really strong on that we were heading in the right direction and it takes time, don't rush the process due to outside noise – keep them going, keep teaching.'' He says Hird had 'such a calming feel about him''. ***** James Hird downplays his position at Port Melbourne, saying he merely 'moves the cones'' for senior coach Brendan McCartney and 'pumps up the footies''. Late last season, he was sounded out – but not officially asked – about taking over from Skrobalak. Two things ultimately led him to turn it down: his work as CEO of Euree Asset Management and the prospect of coaching Tom. But he did urge Port Melbourne officials to go after McCartney, who was one of his assistants at Essendon in 2011 and more recently coached North Ballarat in the Ballarat league. 'My view was that 'Macca' would be the best person for the job,'' Hird says. 'With his teaching of the fundamentals of the game, I thought he'd be excellent for Port Melbourne. I wasn't sure what he was doing but as it turned out he was quite excited about it.'' Was it true he once said McCartney was one of the best development coaches in the country? Hird goes further, saying he's among the best coaches. 'Kevin Sheedy was my coach, David Wheadon was an excellent coach, Danny Corcoran, Mark Williams, I coached with Simon Goodwin, Mark Thompson … and Brendan stands as equal as any of them,'' he says. He told Port he would 'help out'' McCartney. The appointments – McCartney as coach, Hird as director of coaching – were made even before the home-and-away season was done. But Hird does much more than move than cones and put air in the balls. He attends all the training sessions, is on the match committee and runs the bench on match day. At quarter breaks he gets busy on the board as McCartney comes down from the box. Are they co-coaches? 'It's gone from doing not much to having a fair bit of a role,'' Hird says. 'I wouldn't say we're co-coaches. I have a fair input. But 'Macca' is the coach. He's definitely the main man and I step in under that.'' Former captain Toby Pinwill is now Port's director of football, and with club CEO Sophie Williams identified Hird as a potential replacement for Skrobalak. As Pinwill sees it, Hird and McCartney are 'very much a partnership''. 'They've got so much respect for each that if 'Hirdy' came in and said, 'I'd like to do the talk today' or 'I reckon we play this bloke in this position today', 'Macca' would say no worries,'' he says. 'Brendan's the coach. But 'Hirdy' is as senior an assistant as you could get.'' Pinwill was impressed in his early discussions with Hird when he remarked how much he respected the competition. At age 17 he lined up for the ACT against the 1990 VFA representative team coached by Phil Cleary. When Hird accepted the Port role a lot of people said he had an ulterior motive: it was a step towards regaining the Essendon coaching position he relinquished in 2015 in the prolonged fallout from the supplements saga. He insists his only motive is to help the Port Melbourne players improve and for the club to again be successful after a modest few years in the post-Gary Ayres era. 'It's not (about Essendon),'' he says. 'It's to help out Port. They've been good to Tom and I felt like I could make a difference here. To do something with your son is very special. This is a journey in itself, being part of Port Melbourne Football Club and trying to create a good football program where we can have some success and teach and help players learn. That's the sole purpose of doing it.'' Does he ever think of a return to coaching in the AFL? 'I've answered that a few times. My focus is working with the boys here. What are we, four wins, one draw and five losses? We've got a lot of work to do to make the most of this year and then how we set ourselves up for next year.'' Hird had a small role with GWS in 2022, but his position at Port has immersed him in a club for the first time since he left the Bombers in a forest of headlines. He says he missed the 'whole environment''. 'I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I am,'' he says. 'You realise why you love footy when you're in and around a group of young guys, young people who want to get better, and a group of coaches who also want to get better. 'Everyone says coaching is a stressful job. And it is. But it's also … when you're doing it, you're teaching people how to play and helping them get better … so it's a very rewarding job as well.'' For his part, Skrobalak has no doubt Hird could coach again in the AFL. His great supporter Sheedy does too. He's pleased to see his former captain in the VFL. 'It's great for him,'' Sheedy says. 'From where he's been and the difficulties he's had in life, it's good that he's back into footy and coaching. It's fantastic for him.'' Could he coach in the AFL again? 'James Hird can do anything,'' Sheedy says. Pinwill played under Ayres, who steered the Borough to the 2011 and '17 premierships and grew deeply attached to the club. He was a life member when he left at the end of 2021. Pinwill believes Hird is going through what Ayres did. 'They've had all these achievements with their footy but I reckon there's an element of surprise almost of how much they enjoy their time at this level. It's real football,'' he says. 'He (Hird) fully loves it. He's openly said that, about how much it's giving him. It's easy to frame it as, 'I'm coming back and helping a club'. He frames it as, 'I'm getting more out of this rather than the other way around'.'' Hird's regard for the VFL was apparent when CODE Sports contacted him to arrange an interview at North Port Oval. He had a few questions of his own, all pertaining to the competition and its future. Will the reserves come back? Will the AFL support the 'old'' Victorian clubs, such as Port, Willy and Coburg? Does it recognise their importance as a means of giving players the chance to be drafted or play at a level beyond suburban football? Hird particularly admires the commitment of the players, most of whom juggle football with work and study. He knows they could go elsewhere and receive more money for less commitment. Their efforts 'don't go unnoticed'' and 'they train their backsides off''. Pinwill suspects the Port players trained like Hird did when he entered league football in the early 1990s, rolling up at 5pm. 'The time they put in and how driven they are … in some ways the mindset our players have is actually closer to an AFL footballer when James Hird started than what an AFL footballer is now,'' he says. 'He might be surprised at how much he sees in himself in our players and what it takes to be here. He sees what they have to do during the week and then go out and consistently beat AFL players.'' Hird is also doing commentary and analysis for the Footy Furnace and Footy Classifield programs, which he thinks fits in well with his role at Port. 'To dissect the AFL games … it overlaps with what I'm doing here,'' he says. Pinwill was at Port Melbourne when Hawthorn great and former Geelong and Adelaide coach Ayres arrived in 2008. He thinks Hird has brought similar gravitas to the Borough. 'When I'm meeting people down the street or wherever and Port Melbourne comes up, they always used to bring up 'Ayresy'. Now they're bringing up James Hird and Brendan McCartney. 'Even people who don't follow the VFL notice 'Hirdy' is down at Port Melbourne, which is great for us and great for the competition as well.'' Originally published as 'Fully loves it': James Hird's leap from a Bomber to a Borough
