Time to come home, Sheedy
27 August 2007 Herald Sun
Sam Edmund
RICHMOND fans have called for Kevin Sheedy to come home. While the Essendon faithful rose as one at the MCG yesterday to say goodbye to "Sheeds" and captain James Hird, Tigers supporters were begging the master coach to return to where it all began.
Sheedy, who played 251 games for Richmond, including three premierships and a best-and-fairest, is revered at Tigerland.
He was appointed Essendon coach in 1981 and guided the Bombers to back-to-back premierships in 1984-85 before tasting ultimate success again in 1993 and 2000.
Despite more than a quarter of a century at Windy Hill, Sheedy has never lost his passion for the Tigers. He is a regular at Richmond functions and was named in the Tigers' Team of the Century.
The yellow-and-black army were unanimous in their praise for the Essendon coach.
"I want Sheedy, I want Sheedy, I want Sheedy," Richmond fan Tony McGrath said.
"Even if they just made up a job for him, sweeping the floor or whatever, and then they can sit him in the box next to (Richmond coach) Terry Wallace."
Peter Hoffmann said the former Richmond back pocket would bring a winning feeling back to the Tigers.
"He's got a good recruiting record, which we've been very poor in, and his marketing and PR nous would be invaluable," Mr Hoffmann said.
"I reckon our membership would go up by 10,000 if he came on board."
Joe Farrell was adamant Sheedy was still Richmond through and through.
"He's still got yellow and black in him," Mr Farrell said.
"We need his know-how and his guts and determination around the place.
"If someone could put up $1 million to get him down there I think we could get him."
An electric atmosphere gripped the MCG in the hours before the first bounce as Essendon and Richmond fans massed for the great Bomber pair's last game together at the home of football. Long lines snaked back from the MCC Members Reserve, while thousands poured in from Richmond and Jolimont train stations.
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