The storm clouds are gathering over Colonial Stadium for this Sunday’s clash between Essendon and West Coast. And with the rain comes the Seagulls, an occupational hazard that Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy said he will make his players fully aware of before they take the ground on the weekend.There is no love lost between these two clubs and this Sunday will be another chapter in what is quickly developing as one of the most fierce rivalries in modern-day football.
Sheedy is clearly still seething over the incident involving defender Mark Johnson just prior to the half-time break of last year’s match against West Coast Eagles. “What I did on the spur of the moment might have been the wrong thing but football is an emotional game – we won’t be taking a backward step this Sunday I can assure you of that, “ Sheedy said today. “But West Coast won a game against St Kilda earlier this season so they will take some confidence out of that.”
“You have got to get in the faces of teams who think what happened last year is acceptable and that is what I expect of my players this weekend. We will attack the ball no matter what. There won’t be any Seagulls in Essendon jumpers,” Sheedy said.
The Essendon – West Coast rivalry has grown through finals’ matches, jacket-waving and last year’s torrid affair at Colonial Stadium. Sheedy said there is no love lost between the two clubs. “We don’t like them much and I’m sure they feel the same way about us. We have developed a rivalry since they entered the competition – I would think it is the biggest rivalry in AFL football outside those within each State.”
Essendon selectors have recalled Dean Rioli to the side. Rioli has fully recovered from a hamstring injury. The Bombers squad also includes Gary Moorcroft, Mark Bolton and Jonathon Robran. Rob Forster-Knight was omitted from the side that downed Collingwood on Anzac Day. “We are waiting to see how a few blokes come up after training before finalising the side. Dean (Rioli) has trained well this week and will play,” Sheedy said.
