David EdwardsSheedy To Leave After 27 Years, Yet Might Struggle For New Gig
July 26th 2007 13:58
Kevin Sheedy, the coach of the Essendon Bombers for the last 27 years and one of the most iconic coaches the AFL have seen, was given his walking papers yesterday afternoon as it was announced that he would not be at the helm of Essendon after the 2007 season.
Sheedy, who has been in charge of the Bombers since 1981, was dismissed from his position after the board announced that they would not be renewing his contract after the current season. Whilst this move was considered a shocking play by supporters and players alike, many pundits were commenting that this would be the final year that Sheedy was in charge of the club since the beginning of the 2007 season.
Whilst this move has thrown the coaches musical chairs this season another spot to plant their feet, what is unremarkable is the fact that despite Sheedy’s unbelievable and ongoing success, he might be struggling to find a new role to coach in during the 2008 season.
There is no doubt that if any club did hire Sheedy as their new coach, then they would immediately bolster their squad with his experience and knowledge of the game. His ability to read the state of play, advancement of modern tactics and his unfounded experience in handling the media would give any club he moves to and unprecendented advantage in the league. The question is though, who has the finances and the space on their sheet to fit Sheedy?
If we look at the three clubs already looking for coaches, it might be seen as a hard fit. Melbourne, Fremantle and Carlton have already shortlisted their candidates, and whilst many sides would tear up any resumes in an instance to bring Sheedy to their squad, these three clubs would be hard pressed to organise Sheedy in the head coach role.
Carlton would have to reconsider very hard about hiring Sheedy, as not only has he been a heavy rival for the past 21 years and reconsidered a slap in the face of their supporters hiring the enemy, but also as they are focusing on redeveloping a younger squad with no finals prospects Sheedy would be thinking about this role as it would not give him the satisfying immediate results.
Melbourne are in the same boat, as they have discussed their options of not recovering from this season until 2010. With their senior players on the cusp of retirement, and a whole group of younger players needing the skills and passion of the game placed into them, Sheedy would be the perfect choice for setting their side on the right course. But their next coach has to be in the frame for the future whilst the side rebuilds, and Sheedy’s age might be a huge factor against him.
This leaves Fremantle, who could use his discipline and ability to bring a side together, but it is considered unlikely that he will coach in the West. But it is a different form of play, a different environment, and with Sheedy’s experience, a different salary which the Dockers would be hard pressed to find.
As this essentially rules out all available clubs, I still believe that there is one squad that has the money, the need, the success, and above all the potential spot that Sheedy could fill.
At Geelong, coach Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson has not resigned a contract to stay on after this season. Whilst this was a clever move by the board before the season just to make sure that Thompson had the ability to rule the Cattery after this season, it has the potential to blow up in their faces. Thompson was of course a captain and long serving player for the Bombers, and with how the Geelong are storming the competition, Thompson is making all the right moves in grabbing interest by opposing sides, especially the Bombers.
Essendon are of course looking at interest in Thompson, and if Geelong let him slip through their fingers and he returns to Windy Hill, then the opening for Sheedy to return in 2008 would be out in Geelong. They have the side for immediate success, they have the discipline and ability to start strong next season, and if they do not make it this year, they will definitely have the drive to take the premiership.
If Geelong fail in their premiership drive, they would be looking for a coach that could give them immediate success next season whilst their squad is strong, and Sheedy is definitely the man who has the ability to hand them that premiership. What is more, they would be looking short term, and with Sheedy’s age a potential factor for a long term role this role could be the perfect way to finish an unbelievable career. It means a lot of events have to play out, and Sheedy would have to really consider if he could continue a career out of the Bombers squad, and with it premiership success.
Until next time, sports minds.
Sheedy, who has been in charge of the Bombers since 1981, was dismissed from his position after the board announced that they would not be renewing his contract after the current season. Whilst this move was considered a shocking play by supporters and players alike, many pundits were commenting that this would be the final year that Sheedy was in charge of the club since the beginning of the 2007 season.
Whilst this move has thrown the coaches musical chairs this season another spot to plant their feet, what is unremarkable is the fact that despite Sheedy’s unbelievable and ongoing success, he might be struggling to find a new role to coach in during the 2008 season.
There is no doubt that if any club did hire Sheedy as their new coach, then they would immediately bolster their squad with his experience and knowledge of the game. His ability to read the state of play, advancement of modern tactics and his unfounded experience in handling the media would give any club he moves to and unprecendented advantage in the league. The question is though, who has the finances and the space on their sheet to fit Sheedy?
If we look at the three clubs already looking for coaches, it might be seen as a hard fit. Melbourne, Fremantle and Carlton have already shortlisted their candidates, and whilst many sides would tear up any resumes in an instance to bring Sheedy to their squad, these three clubs would be hard pressed to organise Sheedy in the head coach role.
Carlton would have to reconsider very hard about hiring Sheedy, as not only has he been a heavy rival for the past 21 years and reconsidered a slap in the face of their supporters hiring the enemy, but also as they are focusing on redeveloping a younger squad with no finals prospects Sheedy would be thinking about this role as it would not give him the satisfying immediate results.
Melbourne are in the same boat, as they have discussed their options of not recovering from this season until 2010. With their senior players on the cusp of retirement, and a whole group of younger players needing the skills and passion of the game placed into them, Sheedy would be the perfect choice for setting their side on the right course. But their next coach has to be in the frame for the future whilst the side rebuilds, and Sheedy’s age might be a huge factor against him.
This leaves Fremantle, who could use his discipline and ability to bring a side together, but it is considered unlikely that he will coach in the West. But it is a different form of play, a different environment, and with Sheedy’s experience, a different salary which the Dockers would be hard pressed to find.
As this essentially rules out all available clubs, I still believe that there is one squad that has the money, the need, the success, and above all the potential spot that Sheedy could fill.
At Geelong, coach Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson has not resigned a contract to stay on after this season. Whilst this was a clever move by the board before the season just to make sure that Thompson had the ability to rule the Cattery after this season, it has the potential to blow up in their faces. Thompson was of course a captain and long serving player for the Bombers, and with how the Geelong are storming the competition, Thompson is making all the right moves in grabbing interest by opposing sides, especially the Bombers.
Essendon are of course looking at interest in Thompson, and if Geelong let him slip through their fingers and he returns to Windy Hill, then the opening for Sheedy to return in 2008 would be out in Geelong. They have the side for immediate success, they have the discipline and ability to start strong next season, and if they do not make it this year, they will definitely have the drive to take the premiership.
If Geelong fail in their premiership drive, they would be looking for a coach that could give them immediate success next season whilst their squad is strong, and Sheedy is definitely the man who has the ability to hand them that premiership. What is more, they would be looking short term, and with Sheedy’s age a potential factor for a long term role this role could be the perfect way to finish an unbelievable career. It means a lot of events have to play out, and Sheedy would have to really consider if he could continue a career out of the Bombers squad, and with it premiership success.
Until next time, sports minds.
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