The Essendon football club and mental health advocate Jeff Kennett have urged people to give embattled former AFL champion James Hird space as he recovers from a suspected drug overdose at his family home.
Bombers boss Lindsay Tanner on Friday released a statement begging the media to leave the Hirds alone and saying the club would "continue to offer its support to James and the Hird family".
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Essendon offers support following Hird health scare
Following a suspected overdose, players showed up to training and kept mum about their distressed coach. Vision courtesy Seven News, Melbourne.
"On behalf of the entire Essendon family our thoughts are with James Hird and his family," Mr Tanner said. "This is a personal and private matter and we ask the media to respect the privacy of James and his family."
Mr Kennett, chairman of depression and anxiety support service Beyondblue, says Hird needs time to rest and recover and his family should to be left alone.
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The former Essendon great was taken to Cabrini Hospital after an ambulance was called to his Toorak home late on Wednesday night.
He has since been transferred to a private facility.
"Assuming these stories have a basis in fact, this is a cry for help by an individual and I hope that he will get that help," Mr Kennett said.
"Quite clearly we don't know the circumstances but when a young person — male or female — attempts to take their life, particularly with drugs, it is a cry for help.
"Without knowing the circumstances, this individual is a young man, (with a) family, obviously he has got circumstances he wishes to deal with but you've heard me say so many times before, the greatest gift we have is the gift of life. Regardless of the circumstances with which we are facing ... life is by far the better option."
As several television networks broadcast from outside the Hird home on Friday morning, Mr Kennett stressed that Hird's family should be allowed to deal with the situation in private.
"I understand how the media latch on to these things but having reported, it is important, I think, the media step back. I think it's important the media don't harass his family, because there are other people involved here, not just the individual," Mr Kennett told SEN.
"Part of the recovery process is we allow people to get the attention and professional (help) they need to get back on track."
None of the AFL, the Essendon Football Club or the Coaches' Association have been willing to comment.
If you are troubled by this report or experiencing a personal crisis you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit lifeline.org.au or beyondblue.org.au