The escalating war between the AFL, Essendon and James Hird reach new heights this week, with the revelation that James Hird is still being paid by Essendon despite the AFL’s belief he couldn’t be while suspended.

A series of leaked emails between AFL legal counsel Andrew Dillon, Essendon chief executive Ray Gunston, Essendon Chairman Paul Little and AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou reveal the true nature behind the AFL’s decision to cut off funding to Essendon.

To: Ray Gunston

From: Andrew Dillon

CC:

Subject: Hird’s Pay

Hi Ray

Andrew was just in here asking if you guys are still paying Hird. Don’t worry, I assured him you weren’t and he stopped yelling after a while.

Just wanted to give you the heads up he’s going to correct the media on this story.

Hope all’s well.

Andrew

To: Andrew Dillon

From: Ray Gunston

CC:

Subject: RE: Hird’s Pay

Andrew

This is a bit of an awkward one. We are still paying James. It’s our understanding that was the deal. I’ll talk to James’ lawyers.

Ray

P.s. Thanks for getting me into the new Keith Urban album. Amazing!

To: Ray Gunston

From: Andrew Dillon

CC:

Subject: RE: RE: Hird’s Pay

Ray, you can’t be serious! Andrew is going to flip. It will be like Meatloaf all over again.

He’s just told the media he knows you’re not. It’s iron clad in the agreement. I’m going to go get the exact wording.

Andrew

P.s Love’s Poster Child. Best Keith Urban song by a ‘country’ mile.

To: Ray Gunston

From: Andrew Dillon

CC: Andrew Demetriou

Subject: RE: RE: RE: Hird’s Pay

Ok. So I haven’t found the actual wording. There’s no doubt though that this was the vibe of the agreement.

I’ve cc’d Andrew in as we may need to thrash this out pretty quickly.

Andrew

To: Andrew Dillon Andrew Demetriou

From: Ray Gunston

CC: Paul Little

Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Hird’s Pay

Andrew and Andrew

What in god’s name is this? The f@#king Castle?

James has about 2000 lawyers working for him. Even his wife’s a lawyer. There not going to cop this.

Ray

To: Andrew Dillon, Andrew Demetriou

From: Paul Little

CC: Ray Gunston

Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Hird’s Pay

Guy’s, just getting off the private jet and looking back at the email train.

To say I’m angry is an understatement.

Love’s Poster Child, is not Keith Urban’s best song ‘by a country mile’. It’s not even the best song on Fuse. The best song is ‘Even the Stars Fall 4 U.’ His best song is ‘Making Memories of Us.’

Paul

P.s This pay thing is all over the shop. Sort it out before Tania finds out. She’s the only person who scares me.

To: Ray Gunston Paul Little

From: Andrew Demetriou

CC: Andrew Dillon

Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Hird’s Pay

This is ridiculous. Keith Urban is awful. If you were scoring the worst movie that could possibly be made, he would provide the soundtrack.

Every time he starts singing, music is set back centuries.

Paul, Ray, I believe it was well understood James wouldn’t be paid. Why would you want to pay someone who’s suspended?

I agree with Paul. If Tania finds out about this we are all in trouble. Andrew and Ray, get in a room and fix it.

AD

To: Andrew Demetriou

From: Paul Little

CC: Andrew Dillon Ray Gunston

Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Hird’s Pay

AD

I don’t think we can take seriously a Meatloaf fan. Contray to popular belief, his performance at the Grand Final was his BEST performance.

Also Tania has spoken to the Herald Sun. Things are rapidly spinning out of control.

PL

To: Paul Little

From: Andrew Demetriou

CC: Andrew Dillon Ray Gunston

Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Hird’s Pay

MEATLOAF! I told you never to mention that Paul!

Consider your discretionary payments suspended until further notice. I’m in good mind to salt your fields and punish you for four generations.

P.s. Not very happy with Tania’s comments either.