Had the AFL opted not to use its ‘banking system’, this Saturday night’s first semi-final between Essendon and Port Adelaide could have been played at the MCG. But Sheedy has no issue with having to travel again, instead insisting the football public should pay more respect to the achievements of the Port Adelaide side.
“He (Mark Williams) will be right on top of things this week. He is a brilliant young coach that has got his side up there for two years in a row. It is a fantastic achievement and a lot of people don’t pay it the respect it deserves. Just winning is very difficult in AFL football. They are a younger club than Fremantle and have been on top for two years – that’s a sensational effort,” Sheedy said.
Sheedy wouldn’t be drawn on whether Port Adelaide’s 1-6 record in finals was indicative of a bigger problem come the business time of the season. “I thought Port would have won the game but they are a better side than what they showed on Sunday and they know that. They probably looked a bit tired but then again so was I – I might have been looking through tired eyes. I also know that Sydney is a much better side than most people in Australia thought they were,” he said.
“But I am just worried about what we do. We finished eighth and now we have the chance to get into a Preliminary Final so we are pleased to get that chance. They beat us over there last year and put us out of the finals. Essendon has got an experienced group of players and maybe we will answer that challenge on the weekend.
“I think we are playing better (than this time last year). I think last year’s performance over there was quite good. We lost a couple of players during the game and Hirdy struggled – he was carrying a bit (of an injury). He will play much better. I have got no doubt about that. We have been in pretty good form, we couldn’t have done much more. This team will also be much better than the one they played earlier in the year.”
Sheedy also urged Essendon fans in both Victoria and Adelaide to get along to the game. “I wouldn’t be surprised if a few Adelaide Crows fans (support Essendon). We have had a lot of good players at this club from South Australia – blokes like Paul Weston and Steve Copping. We have got a lot of fans in Adelaide. I think a lot more of our supporters from here will take the trip to Adelaide because they know they will get a ticket,” he said.
