Greater Western Sydney GIANTS head coach Kevin Sheedy has given Manuka Oval a big thumbs up after last night’s historic One Day International against the West Indies.
Sheedy was part of the capacity crowd in Canberra to witness first hand the newly erected lights that the GIANTS and Essendon will clash under in the third round of the NAB Cup on Friday March 8th.
“To come here last night and see the lights up was great.
“It should be a really inspirational ground for kids to come, because there’s nothing better than to come and see a century or a great wicket taken or a great catch, or to see Jeremy Cameron kick five goals,” said Sheedy.
“We’ve got some good sides coming here to start the year in the Bombers and St Kilda, so it will be good to see Hirdy get back up here to say hello to the people in Canberra.
“And we follow it up with St Kilda and that’ll be a ripper game for the 100th year celebrations here in Canberra.
“You don’t have to be running down to the MCG, you can come here and watch great games here.”
Almost 3,000 Canberra residents have signed up to be GIANTS members for 2013, taking the overall tally to 8,900, which is 5,500 better than last season.
With the first NAB Cup match less than three weeks away, Sheedy says he’s excited about the year ahead that will see the GIANTS make four appearances at Manuka Oval.
“We’ll obviously be a better side this year than last year. A lot of the boys have got stronger and they’re training very well and they’re running times have been good.”
With the Gold Coast Suns and Western Bulldogs also taking on the GIANTS in the nation’s capital this season, GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews predicts 2013 to be another huge year for the club.
“We want to bring big events (to Canberra).
“We’re more excited that ever about our opportunity to play games in Canberra.
"We’re expecting a very big crowd and we believe we have the best package of games Canberra has ever seen.
“This is going to be the biggest year in AFL history in Canberra and we couldn’t be more excited.”
