Sheedy warns Giants, young and old, to seize the day
They’ve been breathlessly described as an AFL juggernaut with enough young talent to dominate the finals for years to come.
Toby Greene and Steve Johnson embrace after the Giants secured a preliminary final berth. Photo: Dean Lewins / AAP
But Greater Western Sydney’s inaugural coach Kevin Sheedy says the club’s premiership window won’t stay open indefinitely and the Giants must be prepared to seize their moment.
Immersed in the game as a player and coach for almost 50 years, Sheedy has seen it all and knows plenty of teams have made it to the big dance in September only to throw away their chance at a flag.
Just look at Sydney, who made a grand final in Rodney Eade’s first year as a senior coach in 1996 only to lose to North Melbourne.
It took almost a decade – and a new coach – before the Swans broke their drought with a flag, while a shot at redemption has eluded Eade in 16 seasons as a coach.
“First-year coach, grand final, never been back to a grand final in 20 years,” Sheedy summarised.
“They’re very, very hard to get to.”
Speaking ahead of the Giants’ preliminary final against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday, Sheedy said there would be extra motivation for veterans Steve Johnson, Heath Shaw, Shane Mumford and Joel Patfull.
Shaw and Mumford have each been locked away until the end of 2018 but Johnson, 33, and Patfull, 31, are out of contract and no certainty to play on next year.
“This might be their only chance to play in (another) premiership,” Sheedy said.
“They might not be there in a year’s time, so they’ve got to seize their moment, just like anybody at the Bulldogs.”
-AAP
