""The only time we have played 120 minutes was in the last fortnight against Port Power. I think there is a fair bit to say in that, but we have got to play 120 minutes, not just 80, 90 or 100.""
Essendon face a resurgent Collingwood side that won in Perth against Fremantle last week. With an away game in Sydney in Round 21, this week’s game against the Magpies looms as a do or die battle.
""We’re in a finals series now and we shouldn’t lack courage and I’d like to tell the fans that,"" Sheedy said. ""We’ve got Collingwood coming up and you have to pick a side that is going to win you the game. They have to be desperate and hungry enough to win.""
The mind games have begun in preparation for this Friday night’s clash at the MCG, with Sheedy mindful of Collingwood counterpart Mick Malthouse.
""It’s very hard to say what they are going to do. I think that was probably a terrific iron in the fire win for Mick (against Fremantle). You can only change it around so much but he might have played some cards over there against Fremantle and they were pretty good cards,"" he said.
The Bombers are set to make a number of changes to the side that was disappointing in their loss to Carlton last week. Sheedy indicated there could be as many as four changes to the team for this week’s clash against the Pies. Jason Winderlich, Ricky Dyson and Marc Bullen are a chance to return, as is veteran Mark Mercuri who has been in the Bendigo Bombers’ best players the last two weeks.
""It will be a decent overhaul for this side to make sure that we don’t lose opportunities like we did when we played Carlton,"" Sheedy said.
Matthew Lloyd also made a brief appearance on the training track before doing bike work. Sheedy said Lloyd would be named and is confident he will play in a game that may determine the remainder of the 2004 season.
