James Hird’s move to Jack Bowes during the trade war was revealed in the documentary Show Me the Money

Behind-the-scenes footage captured the moment Bombers officials attempted to lure his key trade target into the club with James Hird’s sweater.

It was reported earlier this month that Hird could be ‘lost’ to Essendon Football Club forever following the messy process that saw Brad Scott appointed head coach at Hird’s expense in September.

The new show me the money II The documentary has revealed that just days after Scott’s appointment, the club used Hird’s legendary No 5 jumper as a selling point to land Jack Bowes after the 25-year-old announced he was leaving the Gold Coast Suns.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

NEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST – 2023 Season Preview Part 1 (Teams AG)

Listen below or subscribe to Apple Podcasts or Spotify

The use of Hird’s jumper came as the club were at breaking point after board member Kevin Sheedy’s stunning attack on his colleagues when Scott was given the top job ahead of Hird.

Still, the new footage shows Hird was a key part of the club’s attempt to lure Bowes to the club when three clubs were also looking for his signature.

It was Geelong who ultimately executed the daylight grab after securing the former top-10 pick – and the added gift of the Suns’ No. 7 – all in exchange for a future third-round pick.

Bowes toured the facilities of Hawthorn, Essendon and the sitting Prime Minister before settling on the Cats a day later.

Bowes manager Robbie D’Orazio made it clear at the time that his client would pick the club that wanted him most – not just the No7 he came with.

That sparked a charm offensive as Cats roster manager Andrew Mackie revealed they had been interested in Bowes “for a long time” after great club and ex-Sun Gary Ablett told them how promising he was.

Mackie’s Bombers colleague Adrian Dodoro also said during the recruitment process that he had followed Bowes for the past two years.

A scene in the recently released Doco series shows D’Orazio assessing the offers from the three clubs.

“Adrian (Dodoro) picked him up from Brighton and drove him to the airport,” D’Orazio says in the clip.

“They stopped at Tullamarine, went through the gates and (Essendon coach) Brad Scott was there.

“He gave (Bowe’s partner) Jaz an Essendon hat, gave him the number 5, James Hird’s number, and then dropped him off at the airport, pretty impressive.”

Nine.com.au also reports that the episode shows Bowes also sat down for lunch with Hawthorn manager Sam Mitchell when the Hawks reportedly presented the richest bid of the three chasing clubs.

The cameras were also there as Bowes was given a tour of Geelong’s football facilities by Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Stewart.

Bowes says in the documentary that he ultimately chose Geelong because “I feel like they only want what’s best for me.”