Richard Michael
DeanoHarmoEnd of the Kevin Sheedy Era
July 26th 2007 00:24
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The football world is in stunned disbelief following the announcement that Essendon will not be renewing the contract of Kevin Sheedy, their coach since 1981, when it expires at the end of this season.
The end of Kevin Sheedy's coaching reign is the end of an era. Sheedy's time in charge of the Bombers has been a time of enormous change for the game. When Sheedy started, he was a sole coach who had another job outside football. Now the Bombers have a panel of full-time coaches to finely analyse every aspect of the game in microscopic detail. The VFL, as it was then known, had 12 clubs all based in Victoria and playing at suburban grounds. Not it's a national competition, with games played at major stadiums; and although Victorian clubs have struggled to keep up in recent years, Sheedy remains the last coach to have led a Victorian team to the premiership.
While new teams have come, grounds have changed, media coverage of the game has changed astronomically, and the tactics and pressures of the game have changed; the one constant has been the familiar face of Sheedy in the Essendon coaching box. Generations of football supporters have never known the game without Sheedy in control of the Bombers.
Although Sheedy was a constant presence, he was also an agent driving change. As a tactician, much of modern-day football owes its style to the Sheedy strategic mind. Sheedy was a visionary, championing the cause of a national competition and working tirelessly to promote the game and the role of his club within the game.
Always the thinker, Sheedy often found new ways to entertain. Media comments about martians and seagulls got people talking. The famous jacket-waving incident in 1993 was a pivotal moment in gathering momentum toward that season's premiership.
Essendon has experienced success under Sheedy. Premierships in 1984, 1985, 1993 and 2000. Grand final appearances in 1983, 1990 and 2001. In 26 years (not counting the current season), the Bombers have made the finals 19 times. But the last few years have been tough; and with the Bombers only winning 3 games last season and looking down the barrel of missing the finals for the third year in a row the realisation came that it is time to part ways.
What will become of Sheedy? Will he coach another club? It's a possibility - with several vacancies for next season, a coach of Sheedy's calibre would be appealing. But I doubt he would have the desire to coach another club. He may get involved in another role at Essendon, maybe on the board. But would that be fair on the new coach, to have Sheedy as a constant presence?
Whatever happens, I'm sure he'll stay involved in the game in some form. It has been such a part of his life for so long it would be difficult to let go. But whatever he does, it will be a shock to see an Essendon coaching box next year with Sheedy not in it. He will be sorely missed.
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The end of Kevin Sheedy's coaching reign is the end of an era. Sheedy's time in charge of the Bombers has been a time of enormous change for the game. When Sheedy started, he was a sole coach who had another job outside football. Now the Bombers have a panel of full-time coaches to finely analyse every aspect of the game in microscopic detail. The VFL, as it was then known, had 12 clubs all based in Victoria and playing at suburban grounds. Not it's a national competition, with games played at major stadiums; and although Victorian clubs have struggled to keep up in recent years, Sheedy remains the last coach to have led a Victorian team to the premiership.
Always an entertaining speaker, Sheedy was always a promotor of his club and his game
While new teams have come, grounds have changed, media coverage of the game has changed astronomically, and the tactics and pressures of the game have changed; the one constant has been the familiar face of Sheedy in the Essendon coaching box. Generations of football supporters have never known the game without Sheedy in control of the Bombers.
Always the thinker, Sheedy often found new ways to entertain. Media comments about martians and seagulls got people talking. The famous jacket-waving incident in 1993 was a pivotal moment in gathering momentum toward that season's premiership.
Essendon has experienced success under Sheedy. Premierships in 1984, 1985, 1993 and 2000. Grand final appearances in 1983, 1990 and 2001. In 26 years (not counting the current season), the Bombers have made the finals 19 times. But the last few years have been tough; and with the Bombers only winning 3 games last season and looking down the barrel of missing the finals for the third year in a row the realisation came that it is time to part ways.
Kevin Sheedy was always keen to take opportunities to promote the game
What will become of Sheedy? Will he coach another club? It's a possibility - with several vacancies for next season, a coach of Sheedy's calibre would be appealing. But I doubt he would have the desire to coach another club. He may get involved in another role at Essendon, maybe on the board. But would that be fair on the new coach, to have Sheedy as a constant presence?
Whatever happens, I'm sure he'll stay involved in the game in some form. It has been such a part of his life for so long it would be difficult to let go. But whatever he does, it will be a shock to see an Essendon coaching box next year with Sheedy not in it. He will be sorely missed.
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