Sheedy planning ahead
11:19:28 PM Fri 1 September, 2006
Andrew Wu
Exclusive to afl.com.au
Essendon needs its greatest pre-season ever heading into 2007, according to Kevin Sheedy, if it is to improve on its worst season since 1933.
The Bombers have endured their least successful season in Sheedy's 26 years at the helm at Windy Hill, but the master coach believes a strong pre-season, the return of skipper Matthew Lloyd and better returns from his senior players will help to yield a more productive 2007.
Sheedy said the Bombers would be on the lookout for midfielders with 'footy smarts' and clean disposal at this year's NAB AFL Draft after Friday night's 22-point loss to the Western Bulldogs saw it guaranteed three picks in the top 20.
With Lloyd to bolster a forward line which includes Scott Lucas, who finished 2006 with 67 goals, and the promising Courtney Johns, Sheedy said acquiring a tall forward through the draft was not high on his priorities.
"We need couple of smart midfielders to assist the group we've got. We need probably another backline tall and I think Courtney Johns is showing something so I'm not that interested in maybe a tall forward although Lloyd and Lucas are 28 and 29 years of age," he said.
"Hopefully next year you look at a Lloyd and a Johns and a Lucas it can be a potent forward line if you can find three others, (Andrew) Lovett and these sort of boys to balance off and maybe one other and (James) Hird."
A less interrupted season for ball-carriers Scott Camporeale and Jason Winderlich combined with a stronger pre-season campaign for the club would also help the Bombers rise, said Sheedy.
"We've got to have our greatest pre-season ever. It's as simple as that. That's what Essendon needs. A great pre-season, great season of training," he said.
"I'm pretty sure Winderlich will be an excellent player for us."
"He's (Camporeale) had an enormous amount of change in his life He's ended up getting married and they've had twins, he's had injuries that he's never had, he probably never come with a real great preparation. I'm pretty sure Camporeale will be an excellent player for us next year."
"Young Courtenay Dempsey could give us that speed too. Throw in Andrew Welsh and a couple of others there you might have a good side."
11:19:28 PM Fri 1 September, 2006
Andrew Wu
Exclusive to afl.com.au
Essendon needs its greatest pre-season ever heading into 2007, according to Kevin Sheedy, if it is to improve on its worst season since 1933.
The Bombers have endured their least successful season in Sheedy's 26 years at the helm at Windy Hill, but the master coach believes a strong pre-season, the return of skipper Matthew Lloyd and better returns from his senior players will help to yield a more productive 2007.
Sheedy said the Bombers would be on the lookout for midfielders with 'footy smarts' and clean disposal at this year's NAB AFL Draft after Friday night's 22-point loss to the Western Bulldogs saw it guaranteed three picks in the top 20.
With Lloyd to bolster a forward line which includes Scott Lucas, who finished 2006 with 67 goals, and the promising Courtney Johns, Sheedy said acquiring a tall forward through the draft was not high on his priorities.
"We need couple of smart midfielders to assist the group we've got. We need probably another backline tall and I think Courtney Johns is showing something so I'm not that interested in maybe a tall forward although Lloyd and Lucas are 28 and 29 years of age," he said.
"Hopefully next year you look at a Lloyd and a Johns and a Lucas it can be a potent forward line if you can find three others, (Andrew) Lovett and these sort of boys to balance off and maybe one other and (James) Hird."
A less interrupted season for ball-carriers Scott Camporeale and Jason Winderlich combined with a stronger pre-season campaign for the club would also help the Bombers rise, said Sheedy.
"We've got to have our greatest pre-season ever. It's as simple as that. That's what Essendon needs. A great pre-season, great season of training," he said.
"I'm pretty sure Winderlich will be an excellent player for us."
"He's (Camporeale) had an enormous amount of change in his life He's ended up getting married and they've had twins, he's had injuries that he's never had, he probably never come with a real great preparation. I'm pretty sure Camporeale will be an excellent player for us next year."
"Young Courtenay Dempsey could give us that speed too. Throw in Andrew Welsh and a couple of others there you might have a good side."
