Fremantle defeated Essendon in Round 6 at Subiaco by 31-points and Sheedy said his team is much improved since then. ""We are a much better side now. We were still finding out if Welsh, Cupido and McPhee could play. We are also in a situation where David Hille is a much better player than he was earlier in the year,"" Sheedy said. Essendon takes winning form into the Fremantle match having won seven of its past eight matches. It still has its eye on a top four position and must win its last two matches to have a chance of that opportunity. ""The finals have definitely started for all teams in the eight. It is like a six-week finals series. There are two sets of four positions up for grabs - a top four spot and a double chance is what all clubs are after.""
Fremantle utility Matthew Pavlich has been in outstanding form all season and Sheedy said the 21-year-old is a future superstar of the game. ""I have no doubt that Pavlich can be the best player in the AFL by the end of this year and heading into the next two years. If you have a look at the game he tore apart two weeks ago - not many players can do that,"" Sheedy said. ""We will look at it between now and Saturday on who is best to play on Pavlich. He is a bit of a freakish type of player. If 50,000 people turn up at The Dome on Saturday I would love to play Hird and him on one another. It has happened before but in the end Pavlich goes to Hird and then rolls off and then another player goes to Hird and Pavlich tries to become the loose player. It will all be done by team balance and who picks up who.""
Former rookie Damien Peverill will run out for the 50th time in an Essendon guernsey on Saturday. Peverill was knocked back from four National Drafts and three Pre-season Drafts and continued to persist until he got his senior opportunity. ""It is a terrific story for young people out there who think things aren't happening for them. He went to Melbourne and then we put him on the top-up list and now he is on the senior list and has played 50 games. He is playing on the best players in the competition and it is a real credit to him,"" the four-time premiership coach said.
Damian Cupido will carry solid form and confidence into Saturday's match. The 21-year-old booted three goals against Richmond and also was responsible for setting up a number of other forward attacks. Sheedy has been happy with the former Brisbane players form this season and his contribution of 34 goals. ""I think that Damian just needed time on the field and time without injury. In genuine ability and talent he has a lot to offer and he is going to be a very good player in the coming years if he gets his whole game together.""
