GWS Giants investigate US match as Kevin Sheedy flags Essendon and Richmond as possible opponents
The AFL has given GWS the go-ahead to investigate playing for premiership points in Los Angeles and coaching legend Kevin Sheedy nominates his preferred opponents should the idea gets off the ground.
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AFL legend Kevin Sheedy wants his former clubs Essendon or Richmond to join Greater Western Sydney in the Giants’ ambitious plan to play the first game for premiership points in Los Angeles as early as next year.
The AFL is believed to have given the Giants the green light to further investigate playing the opening game of the 2021 season in the US.
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While the league is yet to commit to the proposal, the Giants are confident they can help grow the game internationally by staging an annual game in California, a state that boasts a population of 40 million.
Sheedy, who was the Giants’ inaugural coach and who has been a champion of pushing the game’s boundaries for decades, arrived home from Los Angeles on Saturday morning in time for Essendon’s family day at the Showgrounds.
He said he would be happy to speak with the Bombers and the Tigers to highlight the merits of becoming involved in what would be a historic game.
“I’m biased, of course, but I’d love to see the Giants play Essendon or Richmond,” Sheedy told the Sunday Herald Sun.
“I am a life member of the three clubs, and it would be a nice fit.
“The Giants might want to pick another club, or Essendon and Richmond might not be interested. But I can tell you playing games in Los Angeles is an absolute no-brainer and will be a big windfall for the AFL and the game.”
The AFL has previously staged games for premiership points in New Zealand and this year marks the fourth time it has scheduled a game in China – where St Kilda and Port Adelaide are set to meet on May 31, if the coronavirus outbreak is contained.
Sheedy lavished praise on the Giants for their bold bid to take the game into the US – where AFL exhibition games have been played in the past – saying he recalled a column he wrote almost 30 years ago with the headline “California Dreaming”.
“This is the next frontier, make no mistake about that,” he said.
“What may have held it back from an AFL point of view was the Gold Coast Suns and the Giants took preferential space 10 years ago and in fairness to Gill (McLachlan) and the Commission, women’s footy was the next one.
“Shanghai may or may not happen this year.
“But playing footy in California is a no-brainer. You’ve got 40 million people there and if you are prepared to fly 35 hours to Ireland (for international rules games), why not fly 14 hours to California.
“I am a great believer in growing the game. This is a perfect fit.
“Californians love Australians, and every time they see our game, they are always saying how can we get a hold of it.
“We have never really let them do it before. Now is the perfect time and the Giants should be congratulated for the work they have put in.”
The AFL told the Australian on Saturday it had received not formal request from the Giants, but had supported the club’s right to look at a range of options, including potential venues for a game.
It is understood a handful of venues have already been canvased, with Sheedy saying the fact LA will host the 2028 Olympics could help in terms of suitable grounds and promotions.
One of the Giants’ major sponsors is Virgin Australia, who fly the busy Australia-Los Angeles route, which would make for a nice fit if the game went ahead.
Originally published as GWS Giants investigate US match as Kevin Sheedy flags Essendon and Richmond as possible opponents