McVeigh set to be named Essendon senior coach over Hird

Mark McVeigh, 45, is set to be unveiled as Essendon's next senior coach, with an announcement expected as soon as 25 August. The Sydney assistant and 232-game Essendon player beat out James Hird, who congratulated McVeigh but told Nine he was "disappointed" to fall short — his second near-miss for the role. McVeigh inherits a 2-21 side, Essendon's worst season on record.