Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has paid tribute to his cross-town counterpart Kevin Sheedy, who will coach the GWS GIANTS for the final time in Sydney on Sunday afternoon.

Sheedy, who has played and coached in more than 900 AFL matches, will hand the reins to current assistant Leon Cameron at the end of the season.

Longmire is the 11th Sydney Swans/South Melbourne coach that Sheedy has plotted against in his career, which began at Essendon in 1981 before he relocated to Sydney to guide GWS in their formative years.

“Kevin is a great of the game and his influence is seen across all aspects of football,” Longmire said.

“To have a career in coaching that spans over three decades is an amazing achievement.

“The establishment of a second AFL team in Sydney was always going to be a significant challenge, but Sheeds has done a fantastic job guiding and promoting the club in its early years.

“His career at Essendon, winning four premierships, was simply outstanding and he has certainly laid the foundation at the Giants, where he has established a really hard-nosed, competitive young team.

“It would be really fitting for all football lovers in Sydney to get to the game on the weekend and show their appreciation for all the great work Kevin has done in helping GWS gain a foothold here in Sydney."  

Sheedy’s final game in Sydney as coach of GWS will be against Richmond – the club for which he played more than 250 matches – at ŠKODA Stadium on Sunday.

SWANS COACHES WHO HAVE COACHED AGAISNT KEVIN SHEEDY

1981 – Ian Stewart
1982-84 – Ricky Quade
1984 – Bob Hamond
1985 – John Northey
1986-88 – Tom Hafey
1989-91 – Col Kinnear
1992-93 – Gary Buckenara
1993-95 – Ron Barassi
1996-2002 -  Rodney Eade
2002-10 – Paul Roos
20011 – Current – John Longmire