ANZAC day match is more than just a game for James Hird.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and Essendon coach James Hird. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
James Hird after winning his third Anzac Day medal in 2004. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
ANZAC Day is not about James Hird - he just knows plenty about it.
He grew up in Canberra, two torpedoes from the War Memorial, and every year as far back as he can remember, he would be outside watching people old and young march to the heartbeat of Australia.
Hird's grandfather and great uncle fought in World War II.
Both returned.
So, when Hird arrived at Bomberland and began playing in the annual blockbuster against Collingwood, the importance of Anzac Day was already entrenched.
That he won three won three Anzac Medals (2000, 2003-04) is beside the point.
He played some magical football on the revered occasion, but if you ask him his favourite moment of Anzac Day, he would say it was the birth of his first daughter, Stephanie, on this day in 1999.
"Anzac Day has always been a big day," he said.
"My house in Canberra was the closest house to the War Memorial, so Anzac Day was always huge. You had the big march, and from a young kid, you went and watched the march up Anzac Parade.
"Then, when I think back to '95, we played footy on Anzac Day.
"It has always meant a lot because I've been around it all my life.
"But it wasn't a football game that changed my thinking about Anzac Day."
The Bombers on Anzac Day last year. Source: Getty Images
Today is his third Anzac Day as coach and he says it remains as important to him as the first occasion as a player.
"It's an historic day where we remember people who have done so much for our country - it's as simple as that,"
Hird said. "It's very important for our young players and all players of our football club to remember those people."
Yesterday was about the Anzac message.
Hird wouldn't go into detail about what was said, and by whom.
On Monday, several players visited the Shrine of Remembrance.
This morning, those players not playing will attend the dawn service.
"We'll speak about what it means to Australia and how the young people of Australia have carried the day on," Hird said.
This is where Hird and Magpie coach Nathan Buckley are so important - at their respective teams, they carry the torch of responsibility.
They follow on from Kevin Sheedy and Mick Malthouse; men who understood the messages of life - not just football.
Hird and Buckley are there to talk to their young players.
They are also there to show leadership to young people.
Hird never tires of Anzac Day.
"There are always different stories to tell, different occasions, different parts of the story ... it's not a story I get sick of telling," he said.
"Our country was built on hard work, and part of the our history is the men and women who served and sacrificed, and who served in other countries to protect people.
"When you think of all the people who sacrificed part of their life to go to war, you just have huge pride and respect."
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