Hird driver, Thompson mechanic

Essendon coach James Hird and Mark Thompson's relationship remains strong. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

THE significant stoush between James Hird and Mark Thompson late last year came after a re-classification of their roles at Essendon.

The pair disagreed about the future of high performance manager Dean Robinson, with Thompson keen to retain him and Hird intent on having the position reviewed.

Thompson won the argument because under the new arrangement Robinson came under Thompson's jurisdiction.

A potential payout to Robinson somewhere in the range of $500,000 also played a role in the decision.

Hird was frustrated about the soft-tissue injury plague which attacked the club last year, and was open to a change in the critically-important fitness department.

The premiership teammates moved on quickly after the verbal confrontation and their relationship/friendship is as strong as ever on the eve of the new season.

Thompson's position in the anti-doping investigation and what influence he had in the controversial sports science and fitness sections is yet to be fully revealed.

Thompson spent most of last week on the couch dealing with a sciatic nerve problem in his back, but returned to the club on Monday.

A prominent figure since joining the Bombers from Geelong at the end of 2010, Thompson now overseas all development and preparation of the players.

Integrity officers for all clubs?

Think Essendon is a car and Thompson is the mechanic and Hird the driver.

In football terms, Hird coaches the team and Thompson prepares it.

Hird is in control of how he wants the team to play - style, transition, type of player needed - and Thompson is in control of delivering the product.

The defining of both roles was borne from a trip Hird and chairman David Evans made to hotshot Spanish soccer team Real Madrid in October last year.

The Bombers pair was told first-hand about the role of the traditional European soccer "manager" - which is Hird - and the clearly-defined roles of various assistants.

Thompson agreed to the proposal when presented with it.

When Thompson quit the Cats, he vowed he would never be a senior coach again and his role at Essendon continues to focus on the education and development of players.

Now, he's effectively in charge of the football department.

Observers would argue the dual premiership coach, who this year carries the title of senior assistant coach, always carried the biggest stick at Essendon. At least now it's official.

In the meantime, Thompson's role in the sports science debacle last year can't be ignored.

The fact that Hird said he would take full responsibility for anything which could emerge from the anti-doping inquiry is noble. Reality suggests that responsibility should be shared.

With Hird, Thompson worked closely with Robinson in preparing the players.

Privately, and in accord with everyone at Essendon, he believes no player was given banned substances last season.

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