Essendon Coach James Hird says his players are keeping their focus on performing well for the club, despite continued off-field pressure. 

The Bombers play against Adelaide tomorrow after another week where personal information the players were assured would remain private was aired publically. 

“They’ve been good, they trained really well yesterday, I think everyone is a bit disappointed that personal information and information that everyone thought would be private was in the papers,” Hird said.

“We move on and we get on with the game tomorrow. 

“They trained really well yesterday, they’re upbeat, and they just want to play. 

“The guys have been through a lot but they just want to play footy and be allowed to play football with as little trouble as possible.” 

Hird doesn’t expect the spotlight on the club to dim until after the WADA appeal is complete. 

“There is no doubt that until the WADA decision is handed down, there is still a cloud over the club and until that gets removed, we’re all just waiting,” Hird said. 

“Whether I’m at the club or whether someone else is the coach, that WADA appeal will still be there. 

“Once that goes, and we believe the guys will be found not guilty, then we can all move on.” 

Essendon is conducting an analysis of its football program to determine what areas need improving. 

Hird said any speculation about changes to the coaching group is no more than background noise. 

“I haven’t read a paper or watched a football TV show or listened to the radio about football for a long time,” he said. 

“We’re busy coaching our team and living our lives.

“Media speculation about whether we can coach, can’t coach is what it is. 

“For us, we have something to focus on here and that’s getting our team to play as well as possible.”