New Bombers chairman Paul Little speaks to the media. Picture: Getty Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images
PAUL Little's first public utterances as Essendon chairman were a game-changer in the war between James Hird and Andrew Demetriou.
When Hird and Little met at the weekend to discuss all things Essendon, Hird is understood to have told Little everything he knew about the first week of February, and the subsequent discussions since, including those held late last week leading up to David Evans' resignation.
There were - and are - secrets between Evans and Hird, and a small group of others at Windy Hill.
It centres around the events leading up to the Bombers "self reporting" to the AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority on February 5.
Two days later, on February 7, the Australian Crime Commission report into drugs in sport was delivered in Canberra.
Evans, who is at his family farm, was at loggerheads with Hird about the details of a telephone call between Evans and AFL chief executive Demetriou on the night of February 4.
It was the week of madness.
The Bombers yesterday took a deep breath.
Hird, of course, was delighted with the club's response.
He told Little what he knew, what others knew, and what conversations had been held at the club between key people.
Little's response was emphatic.
"James Hird has also got not only my full and complete support but the board's full support, and we look forward to James taking us to a successful finals campaign," Little said.
That came after frank discussions between the new president and the coach at the weekend.
Evans is said to be less stressed since his decision to resign.
He had previously said Demetriou did not pass on information about the club allegedly using banned drugs.
Demetriou has consistently denied passing on any information to Evans.
Two testimonies to ASADA, believed to be from Hird and head of football Danny Corcoran, differ from that of Evans and Demetriou.
It's believed others at Windy Hill will add to the debate in the coming days.
Perhaps it is a breakdown in communication, a case of people having different versions of events, as Demetriou has said.
Perhaps the war is only just beginning.
Hird, meanwhile, says he's going nowhere.
Asked if he would continue coaching the Bombers yesterday, he said: "Definitely."
Evans' standing at the club is strong, although in the robust world of politics, Little is said to be very strong.
"It's a pleasure to be here today to confirm my appointment as chairman. I wish it had been under more favourable circumstances but that's the way things are," Little said. "I'd like to just confirm that David Evans has done a marvellous job for this football club.
"David will continue to help and assist me in my role as chairman and obviously coping with the demands of the current investigation that's under way.
"The ASADA report we understand will be made available to the club within the next week or two and we look forward to the opportunity of being able to use this report to answer a lot of the allegations and concerns that have been voiced in relation to the Essendon Football Club."
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