AFL

Solomon to keep head down as James Hird talk builds

Jun 1, 2026

Dean Solomon interim senior coach of Essendon — Essendon interim coach Dean Solomon is blocking out talk over a possible return of James Hird. -AAP Image

Essendon caretaker Dean Solomon has shut off his social media as noise continues to build around James Hird leading the race to take over as coach.

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Solomon got his first experience in the Bombers hot seat on Sunday as Essendon slumped to a 30-point loss to West Coast in Perth.

The 12.13 (85) to 8.7 (55) defeat left Essendon (1-11) anchored to the bottom of the table.

Essendon sacked coach Brad Scott last week after a patch in which the injury-hit Bombers won just one of their 24 games.

Solomon says he won't consider putting his hand up for the role full-time while the season is still on, but it seems like the job is Hird's to lose anyway after the Bombers legend made his interest public.

Some Bombers fans held up a 'Bring Back Hird' sign during Sunday's game in Perth.

But the 1996 Brownlow medal winner is still a polarising figure among fans following his involvement in the club's supplements saga, in which 34 Essendon players were found guilty of taking a banned substance during Hird's first stint as coach.

Solomon said the talk surrounding a possible Hird return won't be a distraction.

"I honestly have shut down with all my social media or media looking into me," Solomon said.

"I've sort of had to control what I can control, focus on what I can focus on, and that's leading this club, and these staff members, and the players in the short term.

"So I don't think it's going to have any impact on me. And I can't really speak on behalf of the players, but I'm sure we're all locked into what we need to do right now."

Solomon said it was a "tough week" following Scott's axing, but he praised the way the players stayed connected as game day approached.

And the caretaker coach put his unique mark on the team by playing key defender Ben McKay as a key forward.

McKay only finished with one goal due to the limited supply - marking the second major of his 114-game career.Â

But he was able to rack up six clearances, six hit-outs and 14 disposals after complementing his time in attack with stints in the ruck.

Solomon said he is keen to continue with McKay's key forward experiment.

"I've worked with Ben throughout the season as his defensive coach, and I've just seen traits that I liked that I thought he'd go forward and impact the game," Solomon said.

"We thought he had a reasonable impact. He absorbs information, goes studies it, and puts his craft to work.

"Right here, right now, absolutely, we'll stick with it."

Key forward Archie May is set for a stint on the sidelines after dislocating his right shoulder, but Solomon expects Sam Durham (concussion) and Mason Redman (knee soreness) to return against Carlton at the MCG on Sunday.