James Hird net worth originates from playing Australian rules football. He is an Australian former rules football player and coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Currently, he is the Director of Coaching at the Port Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

James Hird net worth

The estimated James Hird net worth information is not publicly disclosed. Nonetheless, his income links to a successful AFL career and coaching Australian rules football.

Career highlights

He made his senior debut for Essendon Football Club in 1992 against St Kilda and rose to prominence as one of the AFL’s elite players. The following year, he helped Essendon secure the 1993 AFL Grand Final title.

From 1994 to 1996, he won three consecutive Crichton Medals; Essendon’s Best and Fairest Awards. During the 1996 season, he claimed the Brownlow Medal, the AFL’s highest individual honour. Later on, he captained Essendon from 1998 to 2005.

In 2000, he led his team in one of the most dominant seasons in AFL history by winning the Ansett Cup, the AFL Premiership, and earning both All-Australian Team selection and the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground in the Grand Final.

His 2004 performance against West Coast became legendary, celebrated in the Toyota “Memorable Moments” campaign and immortalized in AFL art. His final season in 2007, saw him play 17 games, perform at an elite level, and win his fifth Crichton Medal.

In recognition of his courage and impact on the game, the Archer–Hird Medal was established in 2008 to honor the player showing exceptional determination and skill in matches between Essendon and North Melbourne.

Media

After retiring, James Hird went into media, working as a commentator and football analyst for Fox Sports until 2010. He also contributed as a sports columnist for the Herald Sun.

In early 2025, he joined the Nine Network as a panelist on Footy Classified and Footy Furnace television programs.

Coaching

James Hird began his coaching career with the Essendon Football Club on a four-year contract announced in September 2010. His debut season in 2011 saw early wins over Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, and the Gold Coast Suns. He guided Essendon back to the AFL Finals for the first time since 2009.

In 2012, he started the season winning eight of their first nine games. The 2013 season was overshadowed by the Essendon supplements controversy, leading to the club’s exclusion from the finals and his 12-month suspension for conduct prejudicial to the game.

He resumed as senior coach for Essendon’s 2015 season, but later resigned from this position in August 2015.

In 2022, he joined Greater Western Sydney (GWS) as a part-time assistant coach up until 2023.

As of 2025, he serves as the Director of Coaching at the Port Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Conclusion on James Hird net worth

Overall, his net worth reflects a lifelong commitment to the Australian rules football that defined his career. Beyond playing and coaching, he has continued to shape Australian football through media and mentoring roles, remaining an influential and respected figure within the sport.