Hird demands open, independent hearing Essendon AFL coach James Hird's defence of charges he brought the game into disrepute has begun with a demand that an independent tribunal conduct a public hearing into the matter. Hird's legal team have written to the AFL stating that league chief executive Andrew Demetriou has a conflict of interest and should not decide penalties in the case, Fairfax Media has reported. The letter demands a hearing of the matter no earlier than two weeks after the end of the AFL finals and contains a categorical refusal to take part in a closed AFL Commission hearing. It reportedly sets an August 19 deadline for an AFL response. Hird, Essendon and senior club officials Mark Thompson and Danny Corcoran and club doctor Bruce Reid were charged with bringing the game into disrepute on Tuesday over their roles in the Bombers' 2011-12 supplements program. They are due to front the AFL Commission on August 26. Hird's lawyers reportedly claim the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) interim report was an attempt to stitch up Hird. Hird, the joint 1996 Brownlow Medallist and a two-time Bombers premiership player, said on Wednesday it was "terribly disappointing" to be charged with bringing the game into disrepute.