Essendon great Joe Misiti says he wouldn't have reached the level he did without the trust and belief of Kevin Sheedy.

In 1993, after playing three senior games with the Bombers, Sheedy selected Misiti to play in the centre against Brownlow medallist Greg Williams.

By the end of his career Misiti had played 236 games and was a member of two premiership sides.

“Two great things about Sheeds that I love is he’s a man’s man, he will go into bat for the players. If he’s your boy – he’s your boy,” Misiti said.

“He will always give you an opportunity and throw you in the deep end.

“I remember my first game, I played two in the back end of ’92. I reckon in round two or three of ’93 he (told me I was) playing in the centre on Greg Williams who had just won a Brownlow.

“That’s what he did - he tested you out.

“He said here’s the best player of the opposition, that’s where we think you’re going to play your future in – go out and see what level you’ve got to get to, to become that sort of player.

“That was the great thing about him.

“Not too many coaches will give a 17 year old their first game of AFL footy. He did that and I’m forever grateful.”

Misiti began his career at 15, playing under 19s for Essendon. When he was 16, the new under 18 competition commenced.

At 17 he landed a spot on Essendon’s AFL list.

“I was a little lazy, a little bit overweight and unfit. I could get the footy but a few blokes down there saw a little bit of talent in me,” he said.

“I think you could take about six to eight (players) from the under 19s to put onto your list and I think I was the last pick at the end of 1992.

“I managed to get myself on a senior list, played the reserves in ’92 and from then on I played in the seniors for the rest of my life.”