AFL 2026: Mark McVeigh on James Hird, coaching and Zach Merrett in his first showing as Essendon coach

Mark McVeigh arrived to rapturous applause and with a clear direction.

“Lastly, I want to call out the Essendon armada,” McVeigh said in his opening statement as Essendon’s new coach before a packed Hangar.

“The thousands of supporters, members and coteries, I don’t ask for your patience, I ask for your reliance to our club.

“This is a significant day for our football club and I can’t wait to start.”

McVeigh cuts a figure ready to confront the most challenging task in the AFL both on and off the field.

But the former Bomber welcomes the challenge of reigniting a team starved of success and navigating the noise of beating James Hird to the top job.

McVeigh holds no fear of the Hird divide and instead embraces how that passion can be a weapon for the club.

“I love James Hird, he is one of my best mates and it was difficult to go through the process against a friend,” he said.

“I don’t fear those people; I actually embrace how they feel and I understand it – to be fair.

“He’s been a constant in my life since I was 17 years of age and we spoke this morning.

“The way he spoke to me about how proud he was of this moment for me, it hasn’t broken us; we’re still together.

“I understand and embrace the feelings of the people who love James Hird because I do too.”

McVeigh says Hird will be at the top of his list of candidates to rebuild the football department.

“Going forward I will have those discussions with James, absolutely; I need to know where his footy journey is going to go from here,” McVeigh said.