Footy legend Kevin Sheedy’s AFL-inspired backyard project

Footy legend Kevin Sheedy hasn’t wasted any time in isolation — creating a sanctuary in his backyard garden and naming his billabong and plants after some familiar footy names.

Kevin Sheedy and son Sam try to catch a Barra while playing the didgeridoo at their own 'Michael Long Billabong'.

Kevin Sheedy hasn’t wasted any time in hibernation, putting his typically creative mind to good use in the garden.

Sheedy, 72, has created his own Botanic Gardens at home in Melbourne complete with a billabong he has dubbed Michael Long Billabong.

“I’ve called all the tall plants Buddy and all the little ones are Wallas (after Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti),’’ he said.

“After being up in Darwin and the Tiwi Islands I thought this is something I wanted to do.

“(My son) Sam and I christened it the Michael Long Billabong and we’ve got fishing rods and the didgeridoo. You’ve got to create some fun.”

The footy legend said he had long thought of the garden as his sanctuary.

“I enjoy it like I love my footy,’’ he said.

“One of the great things about solace in the garden is you come up with great ideas. It’s given me time to plan, particularly between (age) 72 and somewhere beyond that. As you get older you know you’re not going to have long left.”

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Originally published as Footy legend Kevin Sheedy’s AFL-inspired backyard project