AFL great James Hird made his relationship with Natalie Young public on Monday night, although sources told the Daily Mail their romance began well before the Brownlow Medal appearance.
Friends claim the couple’s relationship has been an open secret in Melbourne for some time. Hird and Young are understood to have been together for nearly two years after meeting on Tinder.
Hird’s former wife, Tania, reportedly knew he was seeing Young before the Brownlow “hard launch” — which also marked the ex-Essendon coach’s first appearance at the prestigious event in 14 years. However, she was said to be unaware of how serious the relationship had become.
A source said Tania travelled to Noosa with family to escape the “noise of it all”. The following night, she posted a photo of herself looking “like a million bucks” at Sum Yung Guys.
“Tania isn’t the type to take potshots, and she doesn’t begrudge James his Brownlow moment, but that photo was her way of saying, ‘Yep, I’m good,’” a trusted friend said.
Tania is now said to be prioritising her family, career and a life away from the intense public attention she experienced during her years as a high-profile WAG. It remains unclear whether she has entered another relationship since the couple split in 2024.
AFL legend James Hird, 53, went public with his new girlfriend Natalie Young on Monday night, with sources saying they have been together for almost two years
Tania travelled to Noosa with her children to escape the “noise”, later sharing a photo of herself looking “like a million bucks” at Sum Yung Guys the night after the Brownlow
Young attracted plenty of attention at the Brownlow Medal in a ruby-red sequinned gown, complete with a plunging neckline and dramatic thigh-high split. She finished the look with a sleek silver clutch.
Posing alongside Hird, she looked every inch the glamorous partner. His return to the spotlight came amid speculation about a possible future role with the Bombers.
Sources said Hird joined dating apps after his marriage ended and did not spend long searching before meeting Young, who is understood to be several years younger than him.
The pair reportedly connected quickly and have maintained a largely private romance ever since.
However, people close to the couple claim Young had wanted them to make their relationship public for some time.
“They’ve been together for two years and she’s ready for people to know they’re an item.”
The romance has reportedly been a frequent topic among Melbourne’s social circles, partly because of the couple’s age gap and partly because of Hird’s high-profile separation from Tania.
The former footballer is also understood to have been navigating his new relationship alongside family responsibilities and his ongoing ambition to return to AFL coaching.
The former Essendon coach made a rare public appearance with Natalie at the 2026 Brownlow Medal, returning to the major AFL event for the first time in 14 years
Hird reportedly lives only a block from his former marital home in Melbourne’s exclusive Toorak, enabling him to remain close to his children.
People familiar with the relationship say Hird’s children have already met Young. The family is believed to be adapting to the changes, with no suggestion of hostility between those involved.
Hird’s decision to appear publicly with Young has prompted interest, particularly as it came soon after his unsuccessful attempt to return as Essendon’s senior coach.
The former Bombers champion had openly expressed his desire to take the reins at his old club but ultimately missed out when Mark McVeigh was appointed in August.
Sources say Hird had been reluctant to draw attention to his private life while negotiations surrounding his potential coaching comeback were under way.
With the senior coaching appointment now settled, he reportedly felt more comfortable stepping out with Young.
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It is also understood Tania only recently became aware of the full extent of the relationship, despite James and Natalie reportedly dating for almost two years
The footy great’s future at Essendon remains up in the air.
McVeigh and club president Andrew Welsh have expressed interest in bringing him back in some capacity; however, Hird revealed earlier this month that a proposed meeting with the club never eventuated.
While his coaching ambitions remain unresolved, Hird appears to be enjoying greater stability in his personal life.
For Tania, the latest developments mark another chapter following the end of her long marriage to one of Australian football’s most recognisable men.
The notoriously private former WAG has reportedly been concentrating on her children and career while navigating life after her split from Hird, with whom she shares four children, William, 17, Alex, 23, Tom, 25, and Stephanie, 27.
James and ex-wife Tania split in January last year after 27 years together. Pictured in 2007 at the Melbourne Cup
And those who have spotted her at recent events around Melbourne say she has been ‘looking a million dollars’.
Rather than becoming caught up in the public discussion surrounding her ex’s new relationship, Tania is understood to be keeping her attention firmly on her family.
Sources say the children’s happiness remains her priority as they adjust.
The Hirds’ split became widely known in January last year.
Tania developed a reputation for her glamorous style and frequently accompanied her husband to the Brownlow during their marriage.
Hird has previously spoken about how Tania was a huge support to him in the aftermath of the 2013 Bombers scandal, which saw him hit ‘rock bottom’.
After he retired as a player, he famously took up work with a leading sports management company before becoming head coach of Essendon in 2011.
However, initial success came to a screaming halt in February 2013 when allegations of illegal drug and supplement use by his players were revealed.
Speaking ahead of the Brownlow this year, Hird opened up about his return.
‘It’s 30 years for us since we won it and it was a special time. Natalie is coming with me,’ he recently told the Herald Sun.
‘We’re very happy. It’ll be nice to be in the room and around great people.’
Despite the end of their decades-long marriage, sources close to the family have previously confirmed that the Hirds remain on amicable terms.
Hird’s return to the public spotlight also coincides with a career resurgence, capped by his appointment to Nine’s Footy Furnace alongside fellow AFL great Jimmy Bartel.
He is regarded as one of the best Australian Rules players ever, winning just about every title and accolade the game has to offer in a 15-year career that saw him play 253 games for the Dons.
A member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, he jointly won the Brownlow as the game’s best and fairest player, and he was named in the club’s team of the century in 1997.