Kevin Sheedy

Kevin Sheedy is one of the AFL's most enduring figures. Known for coaching Essendon for an amazing twenty-six years and playing for Richmond for twelve years, Sheeds holds the AFL record for the most games as player or coach - over 100 games and eight premierships. 

During his coaching career, Sheedy became known for encouraging and promoting many Indigenous AFL players, including Michael Long, Gavin Wanganeen, Cockatoo Collins, Dean Rioli, Nathan Lovett-Murray and Patrick Rydar. Today Sheedy is a supporter of the Indigenous Literacy Project, aimed at raising literacy levels among Australia's Indigenous population.

Sheedy is an AFL ambassador, member of the AFL's Hall of Fame, Legend of the Essendon Football Club and was nominated as Australian Thinker of the Year. In 1998 he became a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his services to sport and the community. In 200 he won Coach of the Year and in 2003 he was awarded the Centenary Medal.

The author of seven books, Sheedy currently writes for the Herald-Sun, runs corporate presentations and is rumoured to be coaching the AFL's newest team, based in Sydney.