Dear People of Australia

Early this morning, I set foot on Australian soil for the first time in months.

I felt right at home again.

It might have been the smell of eucalyptus in the air, but it was probably the waiting pack of media outside my house before dawn.

In France, the media couldn’t have been less interested.

Tania wandered out once to give an impromptu media conference, but it was just a lost English tourist who confessed he didn’t know who this ‘Andrew Demetriou’ chap was, but agreed he sounded positively awful.

In my time away, one thing kept me strong, being in France during summer.

France is such a magical place this time of year. You really should go, if only for a weekend.

Many a pleasant evening was spent out on the deck at our home, listening to the nearby church bells while drinking the local wine.

That said, it wasn’t all fresh bread and perfect summer nights.

I also had to study.

Business school is not exactly easy. I’ve had to memorise so many nonsense managerial terms.

At least I can now understand some of the things Tania says to me.

Importantly, my PowerPoint skills have gone through the roof, which is something we all know AFL Boards overvalue in coaches.

So it has been tough, apart from the paid holiday in France bit.

How have things been back here? All good I suppose?

Seems like there’s still a few things to sort out, but the good news for everyone is I’m here now.

Can’t wait to get back to the club and get everything back on track. Take all that pressure off Bomber.

The poor guy must be struggling.

Talk soon

James Hird