Ross Lyon has said getting James Hird to Fremantle as part of his coaching team is “an absolute priority.”
Lyon revealed last night the Dockers have officially offered Hird a spot as their opposition analyst and that it is now up to him to decide whether he wants to take on the role.
"It's great for us because it'll help us win and I think it's a nice little entree that could lead to greater and better things for James again," Lyon told the Seven Network.
Lyon said that he told the Brownlow medallist “you've been a great player and I love you as a player and a coach, and this is a role."
"It's more for you to decide if you want to do that."
Hird left Essendon towards the end of the 2015 season in the wake of the drugs saga and has had little involvement with the AFL since.
Last year Hird was introduced back into the footy world by presenting the Norm Smith medal to Dustin Martin at the Grand Final.
The AFL has stated they will allow Hird to take up the role in Fremantle if he chooses to do so.
Former teammate of Hird, Tim Watson, thinks this role is a good way to get his foot back in the door of the AFL.
"The first way that he can get back into football would be maybe to tip his toe into the water with this, and that might lead into other opportunities," Watson said on SEN on Thursday.
Fremantle have been without an opposition analyst since the departure of Stephen Lennie who joined St Kilda earlier this month.
Fremantle’s first match of 2018 will be against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday week.
