What James Hird's ex-wife Tania didn't know about his two-year Tinder romance... as younger girlfriend Natalie Young finally gets her Brownlow moment: 'She wanted to go public'

AFL legend James Hird revealed his new girlfriend Natalie Young on Monday night - but their love story is hardly a new one, sources tell the Daily Mail.

Friends say the relationship has been an open secret in Melbourne for some time, with Hird and Young understood to have been together for almost two years after meeting on Tinder. 

Hird's ex-wife Tania knew he was seeing Young before the Brownlow 'hard launch' - which also marked the former Essendon coach's first appearance at the event in 14 years - but was unaware of just how serious the relationship had become, we are told.

According to a source, she headed to Noosa with family to escape the 'noise of it all', later posting a photo of herself 'looking like a million bucks' at Sum Yung Guys the night after the Brownlow.

'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,"' said a trusted friend.

Meanwhile, Tania is said to be focused on her family, career and life away from the spotlight she was under during her years as a top-tier WAG. It's unclear if she has repartnered since the couple's split in 2024. 

Young turned heads at the Brownlow in a ruby red sequinned gown featuring a daring plunging neckline and a dramatic thigh-high slit, paired with a sleek silver clutch.

She looked every inch the glamazon posing arm in arm with Hird, whose appearance came amid speculation about his potential future at the Bombers.

According to our sources, Hird got on the apps after his marriage ended and wasn't swiping for long before he crossed paths with Young, who is understood to be several years his junior.

The pair hit it off and have been enjoying a low-key romance ever since. 

However, those close to the couple claim Young had been keen to go public for some time.

'They've been together for two years and she's ready for people to know they're an item.'

Their relationship has long been a talking point in Melbourne's social circles, in part due to the age gap and also because of Hird's high-profile split from Tania.

The ex-footballer is also understood to have been carefully balancing his new romance with family commitments and ongoing ambitions to return to AFL coaching. 

Hird reportedly lives just a block away from his former marital home in Melbourne's exclusive Toorak, allowing him to remain close to his children.

Those familiar with the relationship say his children have already met Young. The family is said to be adjusting to the changes in their lives but there is no suggestion of animosity.

The timing of Hird's public appearance with Young has raised eyebrows, coming not long after his unsuccessful bid 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. 

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.

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.