Essendon legend Kevin Sheedy has launched his new book Icons of Footy, which celebrates the contribution of 21 football icons to the game.
Sheedy, who would likely be among the icons had someone else written the book, said he has always wanted to recognise the many greats of Australian football.
Icons of Footy sees Sheedy provide his insights into each icon and features his own question and answer interviews with the 21 greats, something he said was a special experience.
“It’s great to write a book about everyone but yourself; people that inspired you in your life and you admired from a distance, because many were my competitors,” Sheedy said on Tuesday.
“Part of the book I really love is the question and answer series through the book with some of the legends who are very shy and haven’t been heard of for some time.
“Young people may not know some of these legends and to get them to talk about their lives is very important for me.
“There are some wonderful extracts that you’ll love reading about the upbringing of their lives, and where the champions of this country come from is just incredible.”
Sheedy with footy icons Kevin Bartlett, Michael Tuck, Ron Barassi and host John Bertrand at the launch.
Included among the prestigious list is Essendon champion James Hird. Hird was the inspirational captain of Sheedy’s final premiership success in 2000 and the legendary coach described him as the best player he has ever led.
“He won five best and fairest awards in my time at Essendon, which is the most by any player under me,” Sheedy said.
“He was very unique, because he was a player that you didn’t have to coach a hell of a lot as he knew the game well ahead of the play.
“He was just a wonderful player for the Essendon Football Club. It’s been a very difficult time for him in his life and I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss him.
“I could have put other champions of Essendon in the book, but I just felt that he is the best player I coached.”
Joining Hird as subjects of Icons of Footy are Gary Ablett Snr, Allen Aylett, Ron Barassi, Kevin Bartlett, Malcolm Blight, Barry Cable, Wayne Carey, Alastair Clarkson, Jason Dunstall, Graham Farmer, Lance Franklin, Adam Goodes, Royce Hart, Francis Hughes, Alex Jesaulenko, Leigh Matthews, Kevin Murray, John Nicholls, Barrie Robran and Michael Tuck.
