Kevin, again we have a case of a player running into an umpire. What are your thoughts on the issue?
""I think that the only major I have been concerned about is umpires coming back into the field of play when ruckmen are going for their tap outs (from ball ups near the boundary). A lot of the players have got their eye on the ball and the umpires ask them to do that and if you are doing that it is very hard to look for an umpire at the same time. I think the umpires could just move outside the boundary line. My only other concern is when they come back into the corridor when teams are moving the ball into the forward line. It is awkwardfor both player and umpire but I think we are working through that. I think the umpires will sit down with the ruckmen and a couple of ruck coaches in the next month or two and it will be a pretty good session.""
Kevin, Subiaco Oval has claimed another knee victim, do you have any concerns?
""The figures aren't in favour of the grass but it has claimed some players over the last five or ten years. It needs to be looked at because we are running with very short lists today. The W.A. clubs nave lost players as well.""
Kevin, are you in contract negotiations?
""I have been offered a contract and we are working though it. I don't think I will be leaving Essendon. We are building a third of a side at the moment and we are just working on getting that right at the moment. David Hille is playing well for us, Damien Peverill has only played 10 or 15 games and then of course there is Ted Richards and Joel Reynolds. We have made the last two Grand Finals and I 'm not keen to leave - I have coached 500 gmaes here and we have quite an association.""
More of Kevin Sheedy's comments in the lead-up to this Thursday's Anzac Day clash with Collingwood can be found in the Engine Room.
