- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
If you build it, they will come. On Sunday, with the drawcard of it being the final Sydney chapter of Kevin Sheedy’s 29-year VFL/AFL coaching career, 12,314 headed along to Skoda Stadium.
It was far from a sell-out and many Richmond fans made the trip up, but nonetheless it was a record crowd for Greater Western Sydney’s Olympic Park homeground.
Sheedy, who suggested coaching GWS was “one of the best things” he’s done with his life, was hopeful the attendance figure was a harbinger of what’s to come in 2014.
“It was our best crowd and we’re not a good footy team yet,” Sheedy said.
“I hope in the next 3 to 5 years you won’t get into the stadium, it’ll be sold out.
“If we recruit well, draft well, and trade very well – then I wouldn’t be surprised if perhaps our attendance next year could be around 12-15,000.
“…The smarter we get at marketing and the better players we get, I’ve got no doubt this club will be a successful team, obviously a lot earlier than the Swans.
“Because the Swans were dealt a pretty harsh early existence.”
Officials and players from both GWS and Richmond formed a guard of honour for Sheedy at the end of Sunday’s match, which the Tigers won by 121 points.
AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick made a special presentation to Sheedy in the rooms, while league chief executive Andrew Demetriou paid tribute to him in a pre-match address.
Sheedy is expected to stay with the Giants in a non-coaching capacity and a deal is on the table, but on Sunday the four-time premiership coach insisted it was no fait accompli.
“There is a chance (I won’t be an AFL club next year). I’ve locked up my life and thrown away the key to my family for a long time,” the 65-year-old said.
“There might be other work around for me to do. I won’t be retiring, but if I don’t have an AFL club then I don’t.”
Meanwhile, GWS ruckman Dean Brogan confirmed his immediate playing retirement after the match.
“I feel like I’m one of the luckiest blokes going around in the AFL,” Brogan said of the lifeline he was thrown by the Giants.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.