Brilliant by Sheeds
Kevin Sheedy’s hilarious response to ANZAC Day booing controversy
By Chris De Silva
12 hours ago
In his 27-year career as the coach of the Essendon Football Club, Kevin Sheedy proved that he was as media-savvy as they come.
Sheedy may have coached his last game for the Bombers over a decade ago, but showed that he has lost none of his quick wit that made him a household name in the AFL over the years.
Appearing on The Footy Show after the thrilling ANZAC Day clash between his beloved Bombers and Collingwood, Sheedy delivered a classic response to the unfortunate scenes at the end of the game which saw Magpies skipper Scott Pendlebury showered with boos.
“I can’t believe they booed their own medallist,” Sheedy joked.
Kevin Sheedy’s name is synonymous with the ANZAC Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood (AAP)
“Everybody thinks they were Essendon people booing. Knowing Collingwood, it would have been Collingwood. That’s how they are. They’re an hour behind.”
Sheedy’s hilarious response to what has turned into a hot-button topic in the AFL over the past week caused the crowd to erupt into laughter, something which continued when the master coach explained how he would coach against Pendlebury.
" He wouldn’t have played a lot of footy against Essendon," he said.
"He wouldn’t have played much. Early in the first quarter, that would be it. We would make sure that he would suffer very early on in the game.
The Bombers launched a passionate fightback but fell ultimately short in a pulsating finish (AAP)
“Of course you can’t do that anymore because it’s such a lovely wonderful game we have created.”
Despite the fact that the Bombers were four-point losers, Sheedy said the result was a positive one for his beloved club.
“It was a great effort to come back,” he said.
“I think in the end Essendon got more out of the game. We were playing a Grand Final side from last year and most people wouldn’t have thought we would have a chance, let alone get within a kick.”
Pendlebury was outstanding all day for the Magpies and finished with 38 disposals (AAP)
This year’s ANZAC Day clash was special to Sheedy as it was the 25th anniversary since the inaugural clash in 1995.
Sheedy played a major part in the ANZAC Day fixture between Essendon and Collingwood becoming an annual date on the AFL’s calendar, and he explained the significance of having a football match played on such a meaningful day for all Australians.
“It’s a very special moment in Australian sport,” he said.
"It’s the time where our fans in sport right throughout the whole of Australia stand to the remembrance of our fallen ones over the many war zones, not just our Anzacs.
Kevin Sheedy has always been a vocal supporter of his former captain James Hird (AAP)
"It’s a fortunate thing that it’s ended up that way. Really all it was is that I never went Vietnam when I was in the army.
“The only thing you probably could do was to give them a game. It was just one of those things where we got it right and the timing was right.”
Sheedy also touched on his relationship with former Essendon skipper James Hird and shut down speculation that he would return to the club in an official capacity.
"I think he’s settling back into normal civilian life after obviously a very difficult time, he said.
"He’s a marvellous young man. To see him comeback from nine or 10 plates put in his skull after that injury in Western Australia, that young man is one of the most courageous players I’ve seen.
“If he can come back after that, and then obviously go through the supplements saga and the aftermath of that, it’s great to see him back smiling and happy.”
