Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has delivered a scathing response to suggestions she harbours hatred towards former Essendon coach James Hird, calling the claims insulting and politically motivated.
The controversy erupted after Essendon great Tim Watson asked Channel 7 journalist Tom Morris why Wilson “hates” Hird during their breakfast show on SEN last week.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Caroline Wilson fires back at James Hird ‘hate’ claim
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Morris initially laughed off the question before responding saying, “I’ll let her speak for herself but she has said in the past feels that the way the drug saga played out a decade ago was such an indictment on James Hird that he should never be coach again, I think that’s that’s probably the best way to describe it.”
Watson argued that it appears to go “deeper than that”, prompting a fierce rebuttal from Wilson.
“Good job Tim, you’ve managed to take us all back to 2013 and perpetuate a myth that is both insulting and frankly brazenly political,” Wilson said on The Agenda Setters.
“By pitching me against James Hird and using the word ‘hate’ and implying there’s some deep dark axe I have to grind is just absolutely ridiculous.
“And a classic play from some Essendon people, sorry to invoke the third person, but James versus Caro was a line again perpetuated to belittle and dumb down my reporting of the most catastrophic period in that club’s history that hurt and even destroyed so many careers.”
Wilson also clarified she isn’t against Hird getting a second chance.
“And Tom you’re wrong too despite all of the above, I also believe in second chances,” she continued.
“The reason I would be shocked if Essendon appointed James Hird as coach is that given he never did a meaningful apprenticeship or any apprenticeship the first time around, he’s chosen over the past 12 years not to go back into the AFL system in any meaningful way and improve his craft.
“So Tim, it’s logic, not hate and you’re better than to descend into such mean and ridiculous commentary.”
The Agenda Setters host Craig Hutchison suggested that his colleague may have been “overreacting a little bit”, but Wilson stuck to her guns.
“He knows I don’t hate James Hird. It’s logical reporting and it’s something that I’ve stuck to and it’s a classic play from some James Hird supporters and Essendon people who have used that to dumb down what’s really going on here,” she continued.
“I’m not copping it.
“Craig don’t even try … you don’t need to defend your man, I know he’s an employee of yours but you know I don’t hate anyone.
“I certainly don’t hate James Hird. I simply would be shocked if Essendon, given that the guy’s never done any sort of meaningful coaching apprenticeship, would go back to him.”
When Hutchison suggested the average Essendon fan would think that Wilson has strong feelings toward Hird, she again said it’s nothing more than “logical” reporting.
“Are you serious? What is deeper going on here than the logical reporting from the senior journalist who’s covered the darkest period in that club’s history, who believes and very much agrees in second chances but can’t believe that James Hird wanting to coach again didn’t go back and work at a club and do an apprentice.”
“I think it’s really insulting to say that I hate someone and it almost at times back in 2013 bordered on gender, and i’m not just prepared to put up with it now because it wasn’t true then and it’s not true now.”
When asked if she would give Hird a second chance if Essendon appointed him and he did a good job, Wilson responded: “Of course I will. I just don’t think it’s going to happen.”
