\u201cWe wish to express our appreciation for the public support that has been given to James and our family since news of his hospitalisation became known,\u201d Tania said in a statement on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this time James and the Hird family are in need of privacy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe ask that this privacy be respected.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe particularly ask this of the media contingent currently gathered at our house.<\/p>\n
\u201cJames\u2019 health is our primary focus and concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will [be] making no further comment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Essendon Chairman Lindsay Tanner has released a short statement of support for James Hird:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cOn behalf of the entire Essendon family our thoughts are with James Hird and his family.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a personal and private matter and we ask the media to respect the privacy of James and his family.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Club will continue to offer its support to James and the Hird family.”<\/p>\n EARLIER…<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a report this morning that a couple of current Essendon officials were a little bit worried about James\u2019 welfare in the last couple of months,\u201d de Stoop told FIVEAA brekkie.<\/p>\n \u201cA couple of private things that he would normally attend, like the 2000 premiership team, they have a couple of catch-ups every year that James has attended. He didn\u2019t attend the last couple and I think there has been a little bit of concern how he\u2019s coping.\u201d<\/p>\nFox Sports Julian de Stoop says there were some concerns for James Hird\u2019s wellbeing prior to the suspected drug overdose that saw him rushed to hospital on Wednesday night.<\/h3>\n
LISTEN HERE:<\/h3>\n