Kevin Sheedy insists he is leaving Greater Western Sydney in good shape and expects the expansion club to push for a maiden AFL finals berth this season.
Sheedy on Tuesday confirmed he was leaving the Giants to take up a newly-created senior management role at besieged Essendon, the club he coached to four premierships.
Sheedy coached the Giants for their first two years in the AFL before serving on the club’s board and as an ambassador.
The 67-year-old’s return to Melbourne comes at a crucial time for the Bombers who are about to learn the fate of 34 past and present players who are facing AFL anti-doping tribunal bans.
Sheedy handed over the GWS coaching reins to Leon Cameron for the 2014 season and said the club was showing signs of strength including the recent re-signings of young stars Phil Davis, Jeremy Cameron and Devon Smith.
Sheedy said he wouldn’t have returned to Melbourne if he didn’t think he had completed his work and the club was not on a steady footing.
“I think they’ll win between nine and 10 games depending on injury and depending on the AFL draw … I think that Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond, Essendon, Gold Coast Suns and the Giants will by vying for the seventh and eighth positions this year,” Sheedy said.
“I think they’re a very exciting group of players and they’re not even all out there yet.”
The Giants paid tribute to Sheedy at the announcement at team headquarters alongside AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan, also anointing him as the club’s first life member.
Sheedy was instrumental in the growth of the Giants and their ongoing battle for hearts and minds in rugby league-dominated western Sydney.
“I remember taking Sheeds to a State of Origin game at ANZ (Stadium) a few years ago and between the stadium and the car, Sheeds was stopped half a dozen times by different people wanting an autograph or a selfie,” Giants Tony Shepherd said.
“And these are rugby league fans. It dawned on me just how powerful Sheeds was and is as an AFL identity in this country.
“Not just in the AFL states, but right across the country, he is recognised as a great. So he was a perfect fit as our coach.”
