""I am very excited. There is no love between Carlton and Essendon at all. So it is a great rivalry and that is what this round is about isn’t it,"" Sheedy said.
""I think that historically you are looking at over 100 years and there are probably only eight games difference between us which makes this game so exciting and both clubs know that.
""We are both very proud clubs and we want to get our organisations up there amongst the top of the AFL. Obviously Denis has a proud record and so do I and we both want to be sure that our boys are at their best.""
And Carlton Coach Denis Pagan is preparing himself for all the tricks that Sheedy may throw at him.
""Kevin is always surprising me. Whether I see him at the races or in the street or at the football, he is always surprising me, "" Pagan declared.
""The game is full of surprises and so is Kevin Sheedy and we will have to be ready for that.
Pagan acknowledged his team’s poor performance against Geelong last week but warned that past performances are nothing to go by.
""Sure it was disappointing last week against the Cats but the supporters know that it is not about last week it is about this week,"" Pagan explained.
""The proof of the pudding is going to come on Saturday at the MCG and what a better place to challenge yourself against the Bombers in front of 60,000. It is going to be exciting and a real opportunity for our boys as well as Kevin’s boys.""
And Sheedy believes Essendon are in with a strong chance in the blockbuster game despite being beaten by Carlton in the first round of the NAB Cup.
""Round 1 of the NAB Cup is a lot different to Round 3 of the AFL,"" Sheedy stated.
""I think when you look back at that game, Lloyd was playing his first game back, we had players that were playing their first game back on deck and we probably hit the post four or five times. It is a different competition when you think about the NAB Cup.""
