Thompson and Hird having dinner together at Crown

[Windy_Hill]

As printed in the Herald Sun
FORMER North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley has pitched for the Essendon coaching job, on which a decision is expected late next week.
Laidley met selection panel members Ian Robson, Paul Hamilton and Scott Lucas at Windy Hill, where he could team with club great James Hird as part of a coaching combination.

Bombers assistant Alan Richardson presented on Thursday, while former Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams will push his case in the coming days.

Hird, who has has told the club he is keen to return in a coaching role, was seen dining at Crown casino on Thursday night with Essendon royalty, including Kevin Sheedy, Mark Thompson, Mark Harvey and Gavin Wanganeen.

But it is believed the Bombers are growing less optimistic about luring Thompson from Geelong to help Hird in a director of coaching-style role.

The club is continuing to court him, but believes he is turning his mind to Geelong's needs at the trade table when the exchange period begins on October 4.

[Rover 7]

Probably just a happy 93 premiership reunion.

Can we sign them all up?

[Mrs Mercuri]

A possible Hird/Laidley combination hey..... sounds ok....