Greater Western Sydney GIANTS players will wear a special commemorative jumper to mark Kevin Sheedy’s final match as Head Coach in Sydney against Richmond at Skoda Stadium this Sunday August 25.

The match will be attended by members of the AFL Commission including Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and CEO Andrew Demetriou who will make a special presentation to mark Sheedy’s contribution to the game.

Celebrations include:

  • GIANTS players will wear a special jumper marking Sheedy’s extraordinary record as player and coach over 1000 games in the AFL
  • A special banner acknowledging  Sheedy’s contribution to the GIANTS
  • The first 10,000 people to enter Skoda Stadium will receive a commemorative Kevin Sheedy flag and be eligible  to win tickets to the Toyota AFL Grand Final lunch in Sydney, the Sheedy Medal and a signed copy of the jumper worn by the GIANTS players
  • GIANTS ACT members will be admitted by scanning their membership card
  • All adult tickets for match will be $25, juniors $6 and family $50 (two adults and two children)
  • Essendon and Richmond members will be admitted to Skoda Stadium free of charge on display of their 2013 membership tickets

GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews said the match was an opportunity for all sporting fans to thank Sheedy for helping build the club in Western Sydney and Canberra.

 “We want this to be a celebration for Kevin and a fitting conclusion in Sydney for a person who has done so much to put the GIANTS on the map,” he said.

“It is appropriate we are playing Richmond where his career began 46 years ago and we want to see as many AFL and sports fans get along and help fill Skoda Stadium to thank him for what he has done.

 “Not only has he been a wonderful player and coach but he has also been a great ambassador and trailblazer for our game through initiatives such as Anzac Day and Dreamtime at the 'G and together with what he has done to build this club he leaves a profound legacy.

 "It is also our last home game of the season at Skoda Stadium and a chance to come out and enjoy a great day out for the family."

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said: “It is absolutely fitting that Kevin Sheedy is acknowledged for his extraordinary contribution to Australian football over the past six decades. Not only has he achieved ultimate success as a player and coach many times over, but his legacy in growing the game now includes a remarkable stint overseeing the establishment of the GIANTS in Western Sydney and Canberra.

“I urge football fans in Sydney and Melbourne to take this historic opportunity to celebrate the life and times of Sheeds at his final home game at Skoda Stadium as the senior coach of this up and coming side,” Mr Demetriou said.

In the lead-up to the match, AFL fans are being asked to share their favourite memories of Sheedy’s career on social media using the #thankssheeds and be eligible to win family passes to Skoda Stadium for his final match in Sydney.

The GIANTS websitewill also feature tributes in the lead-up to the game from a number of prominent AFL identities including Leigh Matthews, Kevin Bartlett, Mark Harvey, Andrew Demetriou Tim Watson and GIANTS players and staff.

 Kevin Sheedy Career Record

  • Played 251 games and kicked 91 goals for Richmond (1967-1979) 
  • Coached 679 games for Essendon and GIANTS (1981-2007; 2012-13)
  • Richmond Premiership Coach 1969, 1973, 1974
  • Essendon premiership coach 1984, 1985, 1993, 2000
  • Coached six pre-season premierships for Essendon
  • First coach of the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS
  • Jack Dyer Medal, Richmond Best and Fairest 1976
  • Richmond Captain 1978, Richmond Hall of Fame 2002
  • Australian Football Hall of Fame 2008
  • Richmond Team of the Century (back pocket)
  • Essendon Team of the Century (coach)
  • Total games played and coached at the conclusion of the 2013 season - 1030 including international, state and pre-season games

Kevin Sheedy’s final match in Sydney as Head Coach of the GIANTS against Richmond, 3.20pm, Sunday August 25 at Skoda Stadium, Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney Olympic Park. The match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and 7Mate in NSW.

Tickets available here: www.ticketmaster.com.au/giants