The ultimate accolade for Hird was the common respect afforded him by opposition supporters, players and, for most part, the media. He was a star in every sense of the word: breathtakingly talented, brave, inspirational, fair, personable, highly educated and articulate. The moments I cherish are his connection with us, the common fan, whether it was hugging a fan after a game-winning goal against West Coast, or the extra time after training mid-week he would spend signing autographs and discussing life and the game. It struck a chord with all Essendon fans to have a role model who was unselfish, who visibly had such devotion to his teammates, and was determined for them to win together. Jump ahead to February 5, 2013. I turn on the TV and am suddenly seeing my hero sitting there as Essendon chairman David Evans and chief executive Ian Robson announce to the world that the football club I love will be investigated for questionable practices and governance. The phrase "illegal substances" is mentioned and I am lost, shattered, confused and in complete shock. As I look at Hird's face, it dawns on me that we both seem to be looking lost and confused as to why we are at this place. What followed were hundreds of articles and opinions on the drug AOD-9604, off-site injections and the future health of players. It was no longer a fun world in which to be an Essendon supporter, or a football fan in general. You barely wanted to go to work, knowing you would face a barrage about your club being alleged drug cheats.

But it quickly became clear that much of the barbs, anger and vitriol wasn't directed so much at Essendon, or sports scientist Stephen Dank, but to just one man: the coach. It still puzzles many Essendon fans as to why Hird was aggressively targeted and nominated as the architect. In today's complex management structures, Hird was on the periphery of the supplements program. The level of contempt towards him has left many of us stunned. It seemed the public, the media and representatives of the game had strangely dismissed 20 years of service and integrity Hird have given the game. They still claim it was all about Hird first and not the players, in complete contrast to how Essendon fans have seen him for more than 20 years. The players? Well, they've stood behind their coach from day one. At the height of the hysteria about Hird, Courtenay Dempsey wrote on Instagram: "I hold James Hird up there with the man I have respected and honoured my entire life – my father." Jason Winderlich wrote on Twitter: "James Hird is a man of great integrity and honesty. I love being associated with him." Suddenly there were up to 20 players joining in the "Stand by Hird" campaign. It seemed a little strange that the men Hird had been accused of neglecting would do so. Did they know something the public didn't? Yes. They knew him.

So did those involved with junior football. In 2012, while Hird was supposedly being so cavalier about the health of his players and coaching an AFL club, he was also volunteering his time to help coach the Prahran under-nine boys to a grand final win. Prahran Junior Football Club president Jamie Gray praised Hird for being a fine role model. "He communicates really well with those eight and nine-year-old boys. He is really positive with how he coaches, very encouraging, James' desire to put back into junior football is fantastic, I admire him greatly for it," Gray said. South Metro League general manager Dave Cannizzo said: "James goes to the opposition team at the end of the game and spends some time addressing the players, answering questions, doing autographs and spends time with opposition coaches as well." Hird's 12-month suspension in August 2013 saw his entire life dragged through the mud, let alone his football legacy. And yet people still refuse to acknowledge simple facts such as his contrition about the supplements saga. Many claim Hird remains unrepentant, but he has apologised on three separate occasions –to the AFL Commission, to Essendon fans through the club website, and to the general public. Is Hird bigger than the Essendon Football Club? Of course not, but I refuse to judge him until I hear the other side of the story from someone I truly respect. Hird sadly hasn't been permitted to tell that story yet, owing to an existing non-disparagement clause with the AFL and a previous request from the club not to speak on the topic. Hearing Hird's story, however, is the least I can do for someone who has given so much of his life, passion and time for the Essendon Football Club, and particularly its supporters.

Scott McNeice is a freelance writer.