Kevin Sheedy

Who is Kevin Sheedy?

Kevin John Sheedy AM is a former Australian rules football coach and player. On the field, he represented Richmond in the Victorian Football League during the 1960s and 1970s, and then coached fellow Victorian side Essendon for nearly three decades. He is second in the Australian Football League record for the most games combined as a player and coach.

In November 2009, it was announced that Sheedy had been signed as coach of newly formed Greater Western Sydney for a three-year deal that would include 2012, the Giants' debut season in the AFL. His contract was subsequently extended for the 2013 season. On 1 September 2013, Sheedy coached his 679th and final game as a senior coach in the VFL-AFL, an 83-point loss against Gold Coast on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

On Thursday 19 December 2013, it was announced that Sheedy had been appointed to the GWS Giant's board. Club Chairman, Tony Shepherd, highlighted Sheedy's importance when he said, "In many ways Kevin Sheedy is the father of the Giants. He's been here from the start and has helped build the Giants."