Dear Hirdy,

In tough times it's always nice to go home. And so I reckon this Friday night’s NAB Cup match between the GIANTS and the Bombers in Canberra comes at a good time for you.

Back to where it all started. The nation's capital and where you grew up and took your first steps on the football field. (I promise I won't mention the ballet lessons)

Let me tell you; they are pretty excited about this game in Canberra. Looking forward to welcoming home the local boy and a big club in Essendon.

It's a great AFL city is our Canberra. There was Jezza for starters. Couldn't he play. Born in Austria to a Ukrainian father and a Russian mother, he didn't even start playing our game till he was 14. I wonder if his first coach realised that young Jesaulenko would become a household name in our game. He was also the last person to captain-coach a premiership team.

There have been many others from Canberra but none quite like Jezza until you came along. Pick number 79 in the draft. I still smile when I think of that.

Some at Esendon wanted to get rid of you after you had barely played a game but I knew you had the talent and determination to succeed.  253 games later it was vindicated. Two premierships, five times best and fairest and a Brownlow Medal. Another household name from Canberra.

At the end of 2007 it came to an end for both of us. Six years later, here we are again. You in my old job and me in a new job. As you know, this is my last year as senior coach. I just hope it isn’t yours.

Essendon is a club with a proud history. Sixteen premierships, including the very first back in 1897. I am just proud of the fact that I was involved in four of them. They're not easy to win as you know.

When I first walked into Windy Hill back in 1981 it was suburban club that hadn't won a premiership since 1965. Thanks to the leadership of people like Ron Evans, Graeme McMahon and Peter Jackson it became a national entity that not only won premierships but helped create iconic events like Anzac Day and Dreamtime at the 'G.

It was respected and admired. I am just pleased that Ron Evans' son David is now at the helm. I couldn't think of a better person to lead the club at the moment. He is doing a marvellous job and I look forward to seeing him and many others at the Essendon Hall of Fame tonight.

And now you are coming home. A lot has happened since you left Canberra. It now has a club called the GIANTS. We may seem small to some now but believe me we are growing up fast.

We already have nearly 10,500 members (twice as many as we had this time last year) Not to mention some terrific young talent, You may have heard of Patton and Cameron. Do they remind you of anyone?

Most of all we want to become a club that is respected on and off the field. A club that not only values success but has strong values.  A club with good people.

That's what hurts me when I see what's happened at Essendon. What happens to good people like Bruce Reid who I have known for more than 30 years and worked with at Richmond and Essendon. A man widely respected. Like yourself, a man of integrity.

For now, let's play some footy. Let have a contest and have a bit of fun too. Let's all do what we do best and give the people of Canberra what they want. God knows they were mucked around for a long time. Finally - hopefully - we are now getting it right with a genuine club presence in the GIANTS.

There's a lot of good people in Canberra like Sports Minister Andrew Barr. I have even forgiven him for being a Hawthorn supporter because he just wants to grow our great game in the nation's capital.

(Speaking of Hawthorn, did you see my letter to Andrew Newbloke? Apparently he loves the name)

It will also be a special weekend for Canberra as it celebrates its centenary with its first AFL match under lights at Manuka, the Brumbies versus the Waratahs (featuring ex GIANT Izzy Folau) and the Black Opal.

I am sure you would be the first to admit that Canberra and our game has been good to you. I know its been great to me. None of us should ever forget what makes our game so special and the responsibility we all have to it.

I reckon Canberra will be pleased to see you. I know I will be.  Isn't footy great? You can come full circle. Back to where you started.

Welcome home mate.

Regards,
Coach