MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: James Hird cries as he talks to the media following his resignation as head coach of the Essendon Bombers AFL Football Club at True Vaule Solar Centre on August 18, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

James Hird's father, Allan, has spoken out on his son's overdose and criticised the AFL's treatment of the former coach.

In an interview with radio station, 3AW, Mr Hird said his son was made a scapegoat over the drugs scandal.

“They (the AFL) are bullies,” he said.

“I think they had some dignity and some integrity, but they haven’t got a moral compass.

“Right from the start I believed Jim trusted people too much. He put too much trust in the club doing the right thing, he put too much trust in the AFL, he put too much trust in our system of government.

“And I think if he had his time over again he would have done it differently.

“Remember, he put out when they started this supplements program at Essendon, two basic rules - it has to be WADA compliant - in fact he put out three - the doctor has to sign off on everything, and it has to be not injurious to the players’ health.”

Mr Hird said his son's overdose took him completely by surprise.

“My daughter has been keeping me regularly informed,” he said.

“I’m in Brisbane, I’m coming down shortly to see him but my daughter has been keeping me informed. He’s fine.

“I had no inkling, just out of the blue, but anyway, that’s where it is.

“I don’t really know what the cause is, that’s really between Jim and God, I dont want to make any overt connection, I dont believe that it’s appropriate.”

The former Essendon player and coach was rushed to hospital last Wednesday night following a reported drug overdose.

He was later taken to a specialist mental health centre for further treatment before being discharged on Friday.

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