Editing James Hird (section)

====Final season and retirement====
[[File:Hird & Sheedy.jpg|thumb|right|Kevin Sheedy and Hird farewell banner ahead of their final game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground |alt=A red banner featuring drawings of former Essendon player James Hird and former coach Kevin Sheedy]]
Despite much speculation that he would retire at the end of the 2006 season, Hird played out the 2007 season, playing 17 of a possible 22 games. Aged 34, Hird continued to feature prominently among Essendon's best players and concluded his career by winning a fifth best-and-fairest award.<ref name="JAMES HIRD"/><ref name="essendonfc.com.au"/>

Hird played two farewell games: his final game in Victoria at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] against [[Richmond Football Club|Richmond]] and his final game overall at [[Subiaco Oval]] against [[West Coast Eagles|West Coast]]. The games were made higher profile as they were also the final games coached by 27-year coach [[Kevin Sheedy (Australian footballer)|Kevin Sheedy]]. Hird was one of the best on field in his final game, with 34 disposals, one shy of his career high. As Hird and Sheedy left the field for the last time, the crowd gave them a standing ovation.<ref name='hird-sheedy-farewell'>{{cite web |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/eagles-v-essendon-moments-kevin-sheedy-and-james-hird-retire/story-fn6mh93f-1226050002105 |title=Eagles v Essendon moments – Kevin Sheedy and James Hird retire |last1=Papalia |first1=Ben |date=4 May 2011 |website=Perth Now |access-date=4 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="JAMES HIRD"/><ref name="essendonfc.com.au"/>

Before season 2008, the [[Archer-Hird Medal|Archer–Hird Medal]] was created to honour Hird and former [[North Melbourne Football Club]] player and fellow future [[Australian Football Hall of Fame]] inductee [[Glenn Archer]]. From 2008 until 2013, the medal was awarded to the player showing the most determination, courage and skill in matches between the Kangaroos and the Bombers.<ref name="kangaroos-archer-hird-medal">{{cite web | url=http://www.kangaroos.com.au/tabid/4912/default.aspx?newsid=55737 | title=Archer-Hird Medal to continue rivalry | work=kangaroos.com.au | publisher=North Melbourne Football Club | access-date=4 September 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224050652/http://www.kangaroos.com.au/tabid/4912/default.aspx?newsid=55737 | archive-date=24 February 2012}}</ref>