Essendon legend James Hird has had his house broken into and his car stolen overnight.

โ€œJames Hird has just told people at a luncheon ahead of the country game between Essendon and Geelong that his house in Toorak was robbed last night while he and his family were sleeping,โ€ Sam McClure toldย SEN Afternoons.

โ€œThis is the latest of events thatโ€ฆhe cannot stay out of the news and this is a terrible situation for he and his family trying to get his life back together.

โ€œHe was asleep last night with his family, in Toorak, and he woke up this morning with his house robbed and car stolen.โ€

The former Bombers coach was said to be in a distressed state on Friday, with investigations on the case still in their preliminary stages.

Victoria Police provided the following statement on the matter:

"A silver Audi Q7 station wagon, registration XCA-676, was stolen from the address.

"It is understood electronics were also stolen from the home.

"The occupants, who were home at the time, were not disturbed during the incident."