The tough questions Hird fielded during his Essendon coaching interview

When James Hird said his goodbyes after finishing his challenging interview before the panel charged with finding Essendon’s new coach, he was buoyant. On two fronts.

According to a senior industry figure with knowledge of the Bombers’ interviewing process, the former premiership captain and club great felt as if he had done all he could to reclaim a role he cherished, and one he had held proudly more than a decade ago before trouble struck.

But, just as importantly, he was also satisfied the Bombers had run a thorough process, where he was given the freedom to push his case, but – on the flipside – was spared no leniency.

That’s why, amid the disappointment of being overlooked in favour of great mate Mark McVeigh, Hird cannot complain.

“From a personal point of view though, it’s very disappointing,” Hird said on Nine’s Footy Furnace after it was confirmed that he, like Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham and Adelaide coaching director Murray Davis, had missed out on the job.

“Yeah, I’m disappointed, put my heart and soul into the effort, but, obviously, fell short and that’s the way it goes.”

Before facing the selection committee of chief executive Tim Roberts, president Andrew Welsh, vice-president Anthony Di Pietro, board member and former Swans player Ted Richards and people and culture executive Caroline Monzon, Hird had felt the one issue that may torpedo his bid to return was the hangover from the supplements’ saga all those years ago , the same source said.

However, Hird felt he had moved on as best he could. McVeigh was one of the 34 players suspended for the 2016 season. Over the years since, Hird has met with many of the 34 who had sought answers, and Hird provided them with as much clarity as he could.

There were a couple who still harboured frustration, but Hird, according to the same senior source, had left those deep conversations believing the two parties were now on better terms.

This process was relayed to Welsh when he asked Hird about his relationships with those former players, according to the same senior industry source.

Welsh declined to discuss specifics of the interview when asked about this on Tuesday.

Hird was pushed and challenged through the Bombers’ detailed process, as were all the candidates.

Late in his pivotal interview, Hird, according to two sources with knowledge of the meeting, asked the panel: “What concerns have you got about me being the coach?”

Roberts said he had wondered whether Hird was “bigger than the club”. But Roberts and the rest of the panel agreed in the end that their concerns on that front had been extinguished.