AFL tribute match should stay: Sheedy - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

AFL tribute match should stay: Sheedy

By Sam Lienert and Daniel Brettig 15/04/2008 05:05:44 PM Comments (0)

AFL legend Kevin Sheedy believes the upcoming Hall of Fame tribute match should be more than a one-off, saying it could showcase the sport to the world.

The four-time premiership coach and three-time premiership player predicted the May 10 clash between Victoria and the Dream Team, of non-Victorian players, would rival any game he had been involved in.

Each team has named a 40-man squad, with Victoria's boasting the likes of Jonathan Brown, Chris Judd and Adam Goodes, while the Dream Team has a formidable array of big forwards, including Lance Franklin, Matthew Pavlich, Matthew Richardson and Nick Riewoldt.

A total of 13 Geelong players were named - eight for Victoria and five for the Dream Team - while struggling Melbourne had the least, with Victorian ruckman Jeff White their only representative.

Sheedy, who will act as assistant to Victorian coach Mark Thompson, expected an MCG sellout for what he said would be a historic occasion.

"It's one of the most exciting matches that I've been involved in well over 40 years," Sheedy said.

"The grand final (is) the superstar game of the AFL competition, also along with a round called Anzac Day and the International Rules.

"I think this just about complements the four.

"To have the 50 best players available for selection at the one moment is quite a historical game and I'm really extremely proud to be involved in it."

Sheedy said the concept, conceived as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Australian football, could be the AFL's answer to rugby league's State of Origin clashes or soccer's internationals.

"This is a game that I've been personally wanting for about a decade," he said.

"I'd love to see the 50 best players on an AFL ground for the first time in over 100 years.

"To be quite honest, it's taken too long to get there."

Sheedy called for it to become a permanent fixture on the AFL calendar.

"It's up to the players and obviously the commissioners ... but just for a person who's been around the game for over four decades I hope to see it more than once," he said.

Dream Team coach Mark Williams said the tough part of his job would be deciding who to leave out of the final 25-man side.

"Truth be known we've got such a great list of people to choose from that if one player doesn't play it's not going to make a huge difference," Williams said.

"There's brilliant players who are very much line ball.

"Our midfield, out of those 40 we've probably got 20 midfielders and you try to pick them, whoever misses out is going to be extremely unlucky.

"It'll be a bit of gut feel at the end without any doubt and right now upfront I certainly apologise to those who've missed out.

"I guarantee I'll hear from some players who think they should be in and I'll be happy to watch them over the next few weeks and analyse them against other players."

Sheedy admitted that on paper the Dream Team deserved favouritism.

"But I would think don't underwrite us, don't sell us off yet, you never know," he said.

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