Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy is resting comfortably at home after being released from hospital this morning having undergone major shoulder surgery on Tuesday night. The Essendon senior coach expects to be at the MCG on Saturday afternoon but is unsure in what capacity.

Essendon has put contingency plans in place should Sheedy not be well enough to coach the team with Gary O’Donnell to take over the role of senior coach. It will be the first time in more than a quarter of a century that someone other than Kevin Sheedy has been in charge of Essendon in a home and away match.

Sheedy has previousy handed the reins to Mark Harvey in some pre-season fixtures while O'Donnell and Matthew Knights coached a half in each in Essendon's pre-season practice match against Richmond in Mildura earlier this year. 

""I am feeling well at the moment – much better than I did 24 hours ago,"" Sheedy said. ""I am on pain killers and the physio was in this morning having a look at me. The specialist said he was very happy with the way the operation went.""

""The way I am feeling right now I will be at the game. I will either coach or sit next to Gary (O’Donnell) and give him some advice.""