Greater Western Sydney GIANTS Head Coach Kevin Sheedy wants to turn the young club’s new home at SKODA Stadium in to a ‘GIANT Colosseum’.
The veteran coach spoke to the media today at the club’s first ever-training session at the newly redeveloped, 25,000-seat boutique stadium.
“We’re excited about SKODA Stadium. Saturday night is a great opportunity to let the people in the west know that there is a new stadium. I think it’s a Colosseum personally.
“Leave the Stadiums in Melbourne and let’s have Colosseum in Sydney. We are warriors here in the west and we have to play like that, that’s why we are GIANTS.”
The GIANTS will take on Sheedy’s old club Essendon in their first game at SKODA on Saturday night. The Bombers have had an impressive start to the 2012 season with seven wins from eight games.
“They have a talented list at Essendon. They are playing an attacking brand of football, which is great because they are a young list.
“We will put up a battle, we don’t want Essendon coming up and smashing us in the first quarter like they did to the Gold Coast last year.
“We want to make sure that it’s a game for the fans to really come and enjoy.”
Sheedy also suggested that the GIANTS would be making up to seven changes to their squad for Saturday’s game with young guns Tom Bugg, Devon Smith, Dylan Shiel and Jacob Townsend all in contention for selection.
An ever-entertaining Sheedy said that he felt ‘blessed’ to have coached Essendon for 27 years but was concerned for the welfare of some of the staff at his old club.
“Any coach who has gotten to coach a side for 27 years is blessed. I’ve certainly felt that way – it’s especially great if you get to coach the side you grew up barracking for when you were a little 10 year old.
“I’m very worried about Hirdy at the moment, the way that Bomber (Thompson) is attacking him from the back of the coaches box.
“They said it was coke but I think it was probably champagne.”
Sheedy also commented on reports in the Australian newspaper this week that he was the 35th most influential sportsperson in Australia, behind champion racehorse, Black Caviar.
“I can’t believe I have to trail Black Caviar… I’ve got to sit there and watch that horses rump like all those other jockeys.
“She hasn’t even said a word and I’ve been talking for 40 years so it’s a hard gig this coaching.”
CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE OPENING
2012 TOYOTA AFL Premiership Season – Round 9
GWS GIANTS v Essendon
SKODA Stadium
7.40pm Saturday 26 May, 2012
By Rebecca Mills
