""I think some of our players let down James Hird last year, but they are not here now,"" Sheedy said. ""We have had some pretty serious meetings over the off season and I doubt if we will have those sort of problems at our club this year.""
Essendon’s list changed dramatically at the end of last season through retirements, trades and sackings. While some of the problems were off-field misdemeanours, Sheedy felt it reflected in what the club was also producing on the field.
""I thought that (discipline was a problem) in some areas off the ground - I thought some of them let themselves down. I think also it might have been on the ground with head high tackles and things like that.""
Sheedy is expecting a big crowd at Carrara on Friday night when Essendon kicks off its pre-season campaign against Brisbane.
""We have a big game coming up. We had the biggest crowd ever at Carrara last year and we had a pretty solid game. It is terrific to see football back up here,"" he said.
While Sheedy wouldn’t speculate on selection for the side to play Brisbane on Friday night in the NAB Cup, he did suggest that the Bombers second selection at last years National Draft would get a guernsey for the match.
""I think we will play Courtenay Dempsey, a boy from Queensland, he will bring some speed to our team and we are trying to build up speed most of the last couple of years,"" he said.
Earlier in the day, Bomber fans had the opportunity to meet their heroes at a Civic Reception where Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clark welcomed the team.
Watch Kevin Sheedy’s full press conference from today on Bomber.tv
