JAMES Hird's wife Tania has issued a short statement in the wake of his health scare, thanking the public for its support and pleading for privacy.
Essendon has also thrown its support behind its former coach, who was hospitalised on Wednesday night and continues to receive care elsewhere.
"We wish to express our appreciation for the public support that has been given to James and our family since news of his hospitalisation became known," Tania Hird said.
"At this time James and the Hird family are in need of privacy. We ask that this privacy be respected.
"We particularly ask this of the media contingent currently gathered at our house.
"James' health is our primary focus and concern."
She added they would make no further comment.
Bombers chairman Lindsay Tanner threw the club's support behind its former player and coach.
"On behalf of the entire Essendon family our thoughts are with James Hird and his family," Tanner said in a statement on the club's website.
"This is a personal and private matter and we ask the media to respect the privacy of James and his family.
"The club will continue to offer its support to James and the Hird family."
TIMELINE: James Hird's tumultuous years
Hird's hospitalisation has revived a troubled past that Essendon had hoped to leave behind.
The Bombers have welcomed back 10 players who last season served doping suspensions stemming from the supplements scandal that unfolded during Hird's tenure.
The Bombers trained for about two hours at their Tullamarine base on Friday, with senior players including captain Jobe Watson and his likely successor Dyson Heppell declining to comment on Hird's situation.
Hird has been out of football since the end of the 2015 season when he resigned as Essendon's senior coach.
