Essendon Football Club has appointed AFL champion Greg Williams as Coach of the James Hird Academy.

The premiership player and two-time Brownlow Medal winner will be assisted by long serving VFL player and former JHA Coach Jacob Thompson.

The James Hird Academy focuses on the development of Essendon’s father-son prospects.

Williams said he was excited by the opportunity to expand his role at the Club.

“I’m really enjoying my time at the Bombers and working alongside the players and coaches,” he said.

“The father-son rule has been one of the great initiatives of the AFL and the opportunity to help foster and develop Essendon’s prospects is something I’m really looking forward to.

“I played against a lot of the Dad’s involved in the program so it will be great to catch up with them and also offer as much help as I can to the children coming through."

The James Hird Academy is made up of three groups: The Acceleration Group (16-18 years old), The Flight Squad (11-15 years of age) and the Baby Bombers (up to ten years old).

Current Essendon listed players Joe Daniher and Jake Long are graduates of the James Hird Academy.

Greg Williams

Games: 250

Achievements: Brownlow Medal winner 1986 and 1994, Premiership player 1995, Norm Smith Medal 1995, All-Australian 1993 and 1994, Best and Fairest winner 1985 and 1994, AFL Team of the Century