James Hird is considered to be one of the wealthiest former players, as his net worth is estimated to have grown significantly in 2018. Hird attended Xavier College before transferring to Scotch College, where he played in the school’s First Australian Rules football team. He later studied commerce at Melbourne University.

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Net Worth
As of 2024, James Hird’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. He has earned this from his playing career, coaching roles and business exploits.

Biography
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | James Hird |
Date of Birth | February 4, 1973 |
Age | 52 years old (as of January 2025) |
Place of Birth | Australia |
Net Worth | $10 million (as of 2024) |
Education | Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering; former consultant and stockbroker |
Career | Former Australian Rules Footballer and Coach |
Notable Achievements | 2 premierships, Brownlow Medal, 5-time All-Australian, Australian Football Hall of Fame (2010) |
Height | 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) |
Wife | Tania Poynton (married in 1997, separated after 27 years) |
Children | 4 children, including son Thomas Hird (a professional football player) |
Occupation | Former football player and coach, founder of Euree Asset Management, sports marketing and asset management entrepreneur |
Education
Hird completed a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1998 and worked as a consultant on the CityLink project. He has also worked for a stockbroking firm and is an active partner in Gemba, a sports marketing and media consultancy firm based in Melbourne. Additionally, he is the founder and managing director of Euree Asset Management.

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Career
Hird was 34 years old at the time of his suspension, and his future as a coach was uncertain, with Mercury writing that he had “been hit too hard by the drug scandal to recover.”
He is widely known for his 15-year playing career with Essendon in the Australian Football League (AFL) and has been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Various media outlets, such as The Age, Herald Sun, and news.com.au, have also listed Hird at number one in articles chronicling some of the greatest players to have played AFL football.

Age
52 years old (as of January 2025)
Height
James Hird has a height of 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm).

Wife
James Hird was married to Tania Poynton on October 11, 1997. But it is reported they are separated after 27 years of marriage.

Children
James Hird is a former professional Australian Rules football player and was the coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Tania is an author and columnist.
FAQs
What have been the most significant achievements of James Hird throughout his football career?
Major achievements: 2 Premierships with Essendon, Brownlow Medal, 5-time All-Australian and Hall of Fame Inductee in 2010.
What is the Essendon Football Club supplements saga?
The Essendon Football Club supplements saga was a sports controversy that occurred during the 2012–2013 Australian off-season concerning the use of banned substances by players of the Australian rules football club Essendon Bombers supplements program during the 2012 season.