Under fire Essendon coach James Hird remains firm on retaining his seat as Bombers coach and on reiterating his innocence.

Hird told the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) after their game on Saturday that he was 99 per cent innocent of the charges pressed against him.

''You look at those charges and they make me sick that they're out there and people would believe that that is the truth about me. I'm determined to clear that up and we'll go from there about suspension or not suspension."

''The priority, not just for me but the club and myself, is to clear a lot of those charges up. And then, of course, I want to come back and coach if I do get suspended.''

Hird's camp is keeping their option open to seek for an injunction before the Supreme Court for the AFL Commission's lack of jurisdiction to try and settle the case.

Meanwhile, the AFL and Essendon are struggling to come to terms before the anticipated hearing on Monday. However, the latter has no intention to challenge the Commission's jurisdiction.

Despite the entire fracas, Essendon Chairman Paul Little is still on Hird's side, indicating that should any suspension be meted on the latter, Little will still welcome Hird to come back and coach the club.

Hird showed signs that he would not be let up by the current situation and has himself prepared for the worst case scenario.

''The priority, not just for me but the club and myself, is to clear a lot of those charges up. And then, of course, I want to come back and coach if I do get suspended.'' Said Hird.

The commission hearing, which is set on Aug 26, will determine commensurate sanctions to be doled out against Essendon Football Club, James Hird, Mark Thompson, Bruce Reid and Danny Corocan.

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