Tony Jones says James Hird’s welfare the main priority now in ‘tragic’ situation

Tony Jones has called on football fans and wider public to take stock in the wake of James Hird’s troubles.

The former Essendon coach was rushed to hospital on Wednesday night after a suspected overdose.

Jones, one of Melbourne’s leading sports journalists, said the tragic situation was no longer about football, or what happened at Essendon in 2012.

‘This is all about James Hird the husband and father of four children,’ Jones said on 3AW Mornings.

‘This is not a time to start the finger pointing all over again.

‘It’s not a time to start another round of the blame game.

‘We’ve had four damn years of it.

‘This is about the welfare of a bloke who, rightly or wrongly, has become the face of one of Australia’s greatest sport scandals.

‘The only thing that matters now is his recovery.’

If you or someone you know needs help now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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