There’s been a bombshell announcement in Melbourne which is already awash with speculation and conjecture over the enforced replay of this year’s AFL Grand Final.

Former Essendon leader James Hird has signed a four year contract to guide the Bombers taking over from sacked coach, Matthew Knights.

Caitlin Adams reports.

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TRANSCRIPT

The former Essendon great has vowed to pull the team together, after finishing in the bottom five, four out of five years running.

Hird says he wants to put together the best possible coaching team in order to pull the club back to its former glory.

James Hird, Essendon coach: “We need to unite this club. We need to stand as one and be proud and united and excited by the culture that’s ahead of us.”

Meanwhile, Collingwood forward Leon Davis could risk being dropped before this weekend’s grand final replay.

Davis failed to make much impact during last week’s match.

Nathan Buckley, Collingwood Assistant coach: “Well Leon was quite. His contribution ultimately could have been the difference, and that’s why you wanna select blokes, because they’re gonna help you win the game.”

In the NRL, the Sydney Roosters have included their injured half back in their twenty-one man squad for Sunday’s grand final.

Mitchell Pearce, Roosters half back: “It feels good, I’ve just got a bit of a cork that I’ve been getting through the year. Everyone seems to get corks, it’s not bad, I’ll be sweet by Wednesday to run probably.”

On Sunday, 80,000 NRL fans will pack Sydney’s ANZ stadium with all grand final tickets selling out last night.

Caitlin Adams, QUT News.