""They are absolutely a benchmark of the competition. I think that, with all credit to them, they have recruited very well,"" Sheedy said.
""They have lost five very good players and they are still right there on top of the AFL ladder so you can’t do much better than that at the present time.
""And they have already been in two Grand Finals and have been shaded in one and just got up in another so that is a pretty good comeback in itself.""
The two sides are well known for their fiercely competitive rivalry and Sheedy is not expecting this match to be any different.
""Their has been a great rivalry ever since they started. They have built up a wonderful list of players and, while there are good players out, they are still a very, very good side,"" Sheedy said.
""We are never far away from each other. We beat last year’s Grand Final team last week and we are playing the other one this week and there was only a kick in the score in the Grand Final and there was only a kick in the score last week.""
But Sheedy realises that taking on the red-hot Eagles on the big stage will be a daunting task. He said the game will show Essendon where they really are placed in the AFL this year and that, considering West Coast’s impressive array of midfielders, the battle in the centre will prove crucial
""We are probably nowhere near their midfield but we will have to try to work out something tactically so that we are able to get back some sort of advantage,"" he said.
""The younger players that have come in have done extremely well so we will just have to take a good look at ourselves.
""It is up to the other coaches and myself to work out how to negate these types of sides and we will be doing our best this Friday night.""
