""Prestige-wise ANZAC Day is a great game but more importantly it makes a fantastic opportunity to thank the Australian people who do not get a lot of recognition,"" Sheedy explained.
""It is an exciting match to take part in because it gets both clubs and also football fans in general involved in a bridge building exercise between people that have actually given us the wonderful life we live.
""You could say it is just a big thank-you from football.""
But Sheedy dismissed suggestions that the ANZAC Day blockbuster should be shared amongst the sixteen clubs.
""Why break history? Everyone can go and get the best game they can. We have no problems with Carlton playing Melbourne or whoever on the Queens birthday for the royals if that is what they love they can do it,"" he explained.
""You can always pick a marquee game out. We have picked ours for the people that have been in the defence forces of Australia and I would love to see it there forever.
""I realise I won’t be coaching forever but I know will always be coming along to ANZAC Day to see the Magpies and the Bombers.""
And despite the off-field celebrations to recognise the wonderful contribution that the ANZACs have made to the Australian way of life, Sheedy believes that the game itself will be one to remember, expecting a hard-fought performance from both sides after only a four day turnaround.
""We are playing on a game called ANZAC Day where there was no recovery so I guess when you think about it, it probably makes the test between the two clubs in the spirit of what the game is all about.
""If it is three days rest well then it is three days rest. Both clubs are the same.
""If we get beaten by Collingwood then it is because they were better at getting up in three days than us, I think that is about where it as at.""
And Sheedy has not yet ruled out the chance of one of Essendon’s younger players making their debut tomorrow in the blockbuster game with two players still to undergo fitness testing prior to tomorrow’s match.
""The only two players that you would probably look at would be a Tom Hislop and Bachar Houli but I am not quite sure.
""I guess Scott Gumbleton could be another one with a chance because he was the better of the three of them but I think Houli probably played well and perhaps Hislop needs another game but it will be out of those three guys.
""But James Hird will be on the ground for sure. Leroy Jetta is a chance to play and I think Dustin Fletcher will play so if you need to know one thing, you can be sure to expect a great game.""
