Along with the club's communications manager, Justin Rodski, the club's three figureheads met with League officials before emerging hours later to face a media conference that would go on to shape the 2013 football season.
Essendon called the meeting to tell the football world the club had asked the AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) to investigate its concerns over a supplements program in 2012.
Bombers take unusual approach to blackest day
It was termed as the club self-reporting its issues.
Evans said the information the club had gathered in the preceding two days had been "slightly concerning", while Hird said he took "full responsibility" for what had happened in the Bombers' football department.
"I'm very disappointed; shocked is probably the best word," Hird said.
Two days later, the Australian Crime Commission released an explosive report exposing use of banned drugs in several sporting codes, and links between sport and organised crime.
Football, at least in 2013, changed thereafter.
Below: James Hird and wife Tania leave AFL House after penalties were announced. Picture: AFL Media
The season was dominated by off-field headlines and scandals, overshadowing any on-field stories, not least the fact that Essendon became a very hard team to beat for the majority of the season.
There were casualties because of it. On the night of the press conference, Essendon stood down its fitness boss Dean Robinson and he never worked for the club again.
Robson offered his resignation to the club's board early in the piece, it was rejected, and he continued to work for the club until May, when he quit.
The investigation's toll was too much for Evans, who quit his presidency and passed the baton to Paul Little in July.
Hird continued to stand firm despite fierce scrutiny until the AFL laid charges against him, football boss Danny Corcoran, assistant coach Mark Thompson and club doctor Bruce Reid in August.
They met the AFL Commission at a hearing a few weeks later, and Hird copped the brunt of the personal punishments, being banned for 12 months from coaching.
A year on, ASADA's investigation into the Bombers remains open and ongoing. Thompson is the club's stand-in coach, Corcoran has served his suspension and won't be returning, and the Bombers are trying to move on.
February 5, 2013, however, will not be easily forgotten.
There were casualties because of it. On the night of the press conference, Essendon stood down its fitness boss Dean Robinson and he never worked for the club again.
Robson offered his resignation to the club's board early in the piece, it was rejected, and he continued to work for the club until May, when he quit.
The investigation's toll was too much for Evans, who quit his presidency and passed the baton to Paul Little in July.
Hird continued to stand firm despite fierce scrutiny until the AFL laid charges against him, football boss Danny Corcoran, assistant coach Mark Thompson and club doctor Bruce Reid in August.
They met the AFL Commission at a hearing a few weeks later, and Hird copped the brunt of the personal punishments, being banned for 12 months from coaching.
A year on, ASADA's investigation into the Bombers remains open and ongoing. Thompson is the club's stand-in coach, Corcoran has served his suspension and won't be returning, and the Bombers are trying to move on.
February 5, 2013, however, will not be easily forgotten.
James Hird embraces David Zaharakis after Essendon's round 22 win, his last as coach. Picture: AFL Media
