Kevin Sheedy calls for all non-Collingwood fans to unite behind GWS and extend Magpie misery
KEVIN Sheedy is urging neutral Victorian fans to get behind GWS in Saturday night’s do-or-die clash with Collingwood and help send the Magpies out of the finals in straight sets.
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FOOTY legend Kevin Sheedy is urging neutral Victorian fans to get behind Greater Western Sydney in Saturday night’s do-or-die clash with Collingwood at the MCG.
Sheedy, the Giants’ inaugural coach, says it’s imperative the Magpies exit September action in straight sets.
“The Giants are a young club trying their backsides off, and they’re going to roll down into Melbourne and play probably the most disliked club in the history of Australian sport — Collingwood,” Sheedy said.
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“So if you’re going to the game, wear orange. All Tigers and Bomber fans — any neutral fan, get along and wear orange.
“Dismiss Collingwood. Leave them there, lamenting. They’ve won two premierships in 50 years. That’s four hours of happiness in 50 years, that’s enough. That’s over the top.
“It’s so important that we get this right, and I’m one of the people at fault because of 1990.
“Just keep Collingwood at four hours of happiness in 50 years. Go Giants.”
The four-time premiership coach said he expected Leon Cameron’s talent-laden team, most recruited from Victorian regions and suburbs, to silence a 90,000-plus crowd with a blistering opening quarter.
“The Giants will start well early, make them very nervous and shut down every screaming Magpie, don’t worry about that,” Sheedy said.
“And the best thing going for the Giants is that they don’t have to travel across Australia like Collingwood has.
“That was a pretty tough game last week against West Coast, who got on top because their big-man power just took over the game in the last 15 minutes.
“I think the Giants had a much easier run (against the Swans).”
Sheedy said he doubted Collingwood had the right match-up to stop Giants star forward Toby Greene.
Asked if he had a message for Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, Sheedy said: “Stick to TV and radio.
“The whole culture at Collingwood has changed. The coach now lives in Toorak and so does the president.
“I’ve never seen a club change its culture so much.”
Sheedy, inducted as the AFL’s 28th Legend in May, also fired a parting shot at GWS’ cross-town rival Sydney.
“Let’s face it, it’s great that the Swans have never beaten the Giants in any finals yet. The Swan is still a duck with a stretched neck and the Magpies will have their wings cut off this weekend.
“It was probably the biggest debacle in their history since the Swans went to Sydney.
“To fall as meekly as they did, it was like a practice run for the Giants. He (Swans coach John Longmire) would have to have been shattered at that performance.”
Sheedy also noted that Swans superstar Lance Franklin had failed to kick a goal in two full finals against the Giants.
And the Giants’ ability to perform in front of parochial one-sided crowds had already been established, Sheedy said.
“They have won in every ground in Australia. The prelim last year against Richmond will prove to be a great experience,” he said.
Originally published as Kevin Sheedy calls for all non-Collingwood fans to unite behind GWS and extend Magpie misery