GIANTS Director Kevin Sheedy has urged his former club Essendon not to boycott the upcoming NAB Challenge.
 
The GIANTS are scheduled to play Essendon in the first ever Friday night match at Spotless Stadium on March 13 in the second round of the NAB Challenge.
 
Sheedy, who coached Essendon to four premierships before becoming the inaugural coach of the GIANTS, said the Bombers should field a team during the NAB Challenge for “the good of the game”.
 
"It’s a very very difficult time for Essendon (but) I hope they see it as a great opportunity to play the young kids who need that game experience,” Sheedy said.
 
“There will be some stage in the year when you may need them to be in the side if you cop a bad run of injuries.
 
"Boycott is a word that is frustrating people and for the good of the game I think they will play.
 
“It’s a very very difficult time for Essendon working through problems with the investigation and the AFL. They’re a good club and they’ll work through it.”

WATCH KEVIN SHEEDY'S THOUGHTS ON ESSENDON'S POSSIBLE BOYCOTT
 
As the first coach of the GIANTS, Sheedy was forced to field a vastly inexperienced side during the club’s first season.
 
"I reflect back to the early days at the GIANTS and I think we had a game when we played with 17 debutants which was basically an AFL record,” he said.
 
"We wanted that experience. We grabbed that opportunity. It was exciting.”

The GIANTS play the Gold Coast Suns, Essendon and the Swans in the NAB Challenge competition beginning on March 7. All GIANTS members receive FREE access to GIANTS games - Click here to purchase tickets.