Dual premiership coach Jade Sheedy to leave Eagles nest at end of season

SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens is searching for a new coach after dual premiership mentor Jade Sheedy's shock decision to resign.

A “burnt out’’ dual Woodville-West Torrens SANFL premiership coach Jade Sheedy will pull the pin on his four-year stint with the club at the end of the season.

The highly-respected mentor, who sensationally led the Eagles to back-to-back flags in his first two years in charge in 2020 and 2021, has told the club that he has “run out of puff’’ as he juggles football, work and family commitments and doesn’t have the energy to build the club’s next premiership team.

The 43-year-old, whose side sits seventh on the ladder with a 5-10 win-loss record but is virtually out of finals contention with three rounds to play, will finish the season as coach.

But his early call allows the club to immediately start searching for his successor.

“It was an incredibly tough decision to make but I’ve run out of puff,’’ Sheedy told The Advertiser.

“The SANFL demands a lot of you and I’ve always said to the players that when you can’t give it your all it’s time to move on.

“I don’t think I was ever going to be one of those people who was a long-term coach, I just sort of fell into it and once I do something I give it my all.

Eagles coach Jade Sheedy (left) celebrates the club’s 2021 grand final win against Glenelg with his players. Picture: Sarah Reed.

“The past four years have been a great four years of mine and my family's life but I've just run out of a bit of puff to be honest.

“There is a new group coming through, which I am really keen to help push through this year, but it’s going to take some energy and the coach needs to lead that.

“If I’m being honest with myself I just don’t have the energy because I run a business outside of footy as well (Sheedy Homes), I’ve been doing that for four years, so I’ve basically been trying to manage two jobs for four years and something has to give.

“I’ve always loved my business and wanted to do that long term and so that’s the decision I’ve come to.

“My wife and family have always been very supportive and my three young kids (aged 10 to 15) will be devastated because they love the players and going to the footy club.

“But the club and playing group need more than I can give right now. When your time’s up your time’s up and I’m okay with that.’’

Eagles coach Jade Sheedy addresses his charges. Picture: Brenton Edwards.

Sheedy, who won the 2002 Magarey Medal with Sturt, where he played 255 SANFL games from 2000-2012, said making the decision had left him in tears because of his love for the Eagles.

“It’s been tough because you win a couple of premierships with the players and then you see the kids coming through and their development and then there’s the staff and volunteers who are great people,’’ he said.

“I’ll miss all of that but it's time to let someone else coach this great club.’’

Eagles president Christine Williams said the club respected Sheedy’s decision and was “incredibly grateful to Jade for all of his hard work and dedication in leading our football program’’.

“Under his leadership the club achieved back-to-back premierships, while an impressive 17 players were drafted to the AFL within the past four years, so we are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and positive impact on our club and wish him all the best for the future,’’ she said.