World Footy News

Beyond the AFL, Kevin Sheedy has touched the footy lives of many.  In various trips overseas as well as hosting at Essendon and his time at the past International Cups that touch has extended beyond Australia's shores.  So this Saturday his achievement of becoming the first person in the history of the VFL-AFL to reach a combined total of 1000 matches as a player and coach, will be appreciated far and wide.

 

The Austalian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has led the tributes for Greater Western Sydney GIANTS Head Coach Kevin Sheedy ahead of his 1000th game against Port Adelaide at ŠKODA Stadium this Saturday.

 

In her message, which can be seen on the GIANTS website, the Prime Minister said:

 

“Sheeds, you’ve been a legend of the game as long as I can remember. As a player and a coach you lifted the game to new levels, won a shelf full of prizes and premierships and now, when it seemed there was no other accolade left you’ve found one more; the first person in AFL history to notch up 1000 games.

 

“So Kevin, from me and the whole nation, thanks for all you’ve done to make our game great. Australian sport is unthinkable without your remarkable contribution.”

 

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, Essendon coach James Hird, Collingwood President Eddie McGuire, Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett, Hawthorn great Robert Dipierdomenico and GIANTS Number One ticketholder Melissa Doyle have also paid tribute to the four-time premiership coach.

 

The tributes will be shown on www.gwsgiants.com.au throughout this week and on the video screen at ŠKODA Stadium this Saturday.

 

To mark Kevin Sheedy’s 1000th game, the GIANTS are offering:

·      A special $20 general admission ticket for the match which will include a commemorative Kevin Sheedy 1000 flag. All 2012 GIANTS Members who attend the match will also receive a flag

·      A motorcade before the match and special guard of honour by both teams

·      The chance for fans to meet Sheedy after the game and have a photograph and autograph with him. The team will also be in attendance and fans will be invited to take part in kick to kick on ŠKODA Stadium

·      Fans can leave a message on a commemorative wall inside ŠKODA Stadium

 

GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews said the game would be a fitting tribute to one of the greats of Australian football.  “We want this to be a big celebration of Kevin’s remarkable contribution to the game over more than 40 years and I urge all AFL and sports fans regardless of which team they support to get along to ŠKODA Stadium,” he said.

 

"In particular we'd love to see lots of Richmond and Essendon fans come along and acknowledge the tremendous service he gave to those two clubs through seven premierships as a player and coach. He has been a tireless ambassador for the game through initiatives such as thetraditional Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon and Dreamtime at the `G.

 

"Over the past three years he has helped establish the AFL's newest club in Western Sydney and Canberra and recently we announced our club champion award would be named the Kevin Sheedy Medal in honour of his contribution to the GIANTS."

 

·      Player – 251 premiership matches, 8 pre-season / night competition matches, 8 state matches

·      Coach – 653 premiership matches, 72 pre-season / night competition matches, four state matches and four international matches

·      Total at Round 19 on August 4 – 1000 matches

 

 

To celebrate Kevin Sheedy’s 1000th game the GIANTS are offering a special $20 general admission ticket for the match, which includes a commemorative Kevin Sheedy 1000 flag. All 2012 GIANTS Members who attend the match will also receive a flag. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.au or by calling 136 100. Gates open at 10:25am.