If Mal wants success in the west he must follow Sheedy's blueprint
As coach of Australia, he suffered some significant losses to Tonga and New Zealand over the years, but he did a wonderful job restoring the Kangaroos' 'brand', and driving the return of the Kangaroo Tour to England, which will take place later this year, now with a different task master.
His age should matter little, as Sheedy proved. Throw in Wayne Bennett (75) and Craig Bellamy (65) and we have enough evidence the job can be done by those of pension age.
The question remains though about his lack of NRL head coach time. Representative coaching and club coaching are two vastly different beasts, as Michael Maguire can attest to.
The GWS podcast explores how Sheedy went about his role. Yes, he was head coach, but he was surrounded by assistants who did most of the heavy lifting.
Key was Mark Williams, the Port Adelaide premiership-winning coach, who acted as much more than assistant.
Sheedy spent most of his time whipping up a frenzy about the new team in a hostile environment.
Meninga can handle himself in the media. But Sheedy is a master.
He got stuck into the Swans, rugby league, rugby union, even AFL head office which appointed him. He was in search of buzz and noise. One-liners made front and back page news. Any publicity was good publicity.
He took no prisoners but he was also humorous, and the way he went about it was likeable.
With unending energy, he spent significant time nurturing sponsors and wooing business heavyweights.
Before taking the role, Sheedy and his wife Stephanie were considering a six or 12-month sabbatical in the south of France or Italy as they headed toward retirement, free from the day-to-day rigours of a high-profile role at a massive club in the AFL. A decompress.
When he decided to take the job, he and Stephanie threw away their romantic idea of a European sojourn and were in, boots and all.
They moved to Sydney immediately, a full two years ahead of the team's entry into the competition.
'Sheedy had no interest in taking the job to boost his retirement savings. He wanted to be the ultimate disruptor.'
Rather than strolling through the vineyards of France or Tuscany, the pair woke each morning and drove to different parts of Western Sydney, and did this for months. From Richmond in the north, west to the foot of the Blue Mountains and down to Campbelltown in the south west.
He was able to rattle off the suburbs like the alphabet.
They set about finding out what made the area tick, what sort of people lived there, what businesses were there. What were their dreams and aspirations? What would make them want to support a new team in a code foreign to most of them?
Sheedy had no interest in taking the job merely to boost his retirement savings. He wanted to be the ultimate disruptor and set the club up for the future.
Meninga, who has a young family with three kids aged nine to eleven with second wife Amanda, has to do the same.
Boots and all.
There has been some talk he will stay in Canberra initially as the club begins recruiting in earnest, but that won't cut it.
The Bears have a shorter lead time than GWS did, and AFL was better established as a brand in Sydney thanks to the Swans, than the NRL is in Perth where the Bears will be the ultimate outsiders.
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Sheedy was also known better in Sydney than Meninga is in Perth. He commanded an immediate presence.
Yes, finding players is a major part of the job. Finding fans and corporate support is bigger.
When the Bears run on, there have to be big crowds in attendance week-in, week-out, otherwise the NRL's 18th team will sink like a stone.
Luckily he has a blueprint to work from. The AFL and Sheedy wrote it for him.
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
It's Young talent time as wayward Dockers crush Eagles
Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young has showcased what a weapon he will be in the club's AFL premiership push as the Dockers brushed aside West Coast by 49 points in a fiery western derby clash. Young tallied 23 disposals, seven clearances, three goals and 555m gained to win the Glendinning-Allan Medal in the 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph in front of 54,384 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday. The 24-year-old came on as the sub in his first game back from hamstring surgery in last week's one-point win over Collingwood, but he was unleashed from the very start of Saturday's game before being subbed out early in the last. Young was the dominant figure of the opening term, and his ruthlessness in front of goal when his teammates continually missed was another sign of just how important he is to the club's flag push. "It's handy, and we've missed his ball use at times this year," Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said of Young's accuracy. "I thought he was clean, I thought he found space, I thought he finished well. He was sharp. "He gives another big body around there as well, which helps Andy (Brayshaw) and Caleb (Serong) and the other mids." Michael Frederick kicked a career-high four goals, Andrew Brayshaw racked up 32 disposals and eight clearances, while rising star Murphy Reid (23 disposals, one goal) tallied a whopping 15 score involvements. Four-time Glendinning-Allan Medallist Serong had to work hard for his 20 disposals and eight clearances under a tight tag from Brady Hough. For West Coast, defender Reuben Ginbey kept Josh Treacy goalless from nine disposals, Tim Kelly found form with 26 disposals, eight clearances and two goals, and Harley Reid (15 disposals, three clearances, two goals) battled hard amidst the boos. Reid limped off in the dying minutes with an ankle injury after being crunched in a tackle by Karl Worner. The win keeps Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four, while West Coast (1-18) have lost nine on the trot and are headed for their second wooden spoon in three seasons. West Coast were forced into a late change when defender Harry Edwards injured his hamstring in the warm-up, Harley Reid was target No.1 in the opening quarter. First, he was involved in a wrestle with Fremantle veteran Jaeger O'Meara. Later in the term, he was caught unaware when he was flattened in an off-the-ball bump from Patrick Voss (three goals). West Coast kept pace with Fremantle early, but two goals in a minute to Frederick, followed by two goals in a minute to Young, blew the scoreboard out to 40-12 by quarter-time. Fremantle's 14-7 clearance count in the opening quarter was ominous, with Young tallying 10 disposals, five clearances and two goals in a brilliant individual display. Frederick's third goal stretched the margin to 35 points early in the third quarter, but a magical running goal by Harley Reid helped keep West Coast in the contest. Fremantle dominated the rest of the quarter, but their wasteful return of 1.6 meant the half-time margin was only 22 points. The Dockers' wobbles continued early in the third quarter as West Coast cut the margin to 18 points, before Fremantle finally found their range to blow the margin wide open. "I think the scoreboard flattered us probably for a fair chunk of that game," West Coast coach Andrew McQualter said. "I think you saw a Fremantle team hungry, in a position where they're going to be fighting for finals, and their class probably just overwhelmed us." Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young has showcased what a weapon he will be in the club's AFL premiership push as the Dockers brushed aside West Coast by 49 points in a fiery western derby clash. Young tallied 23 disposals, seven clearances, three goals and 555m gained to win the Glendinning-Allan Medal in the 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph in front of 54,384 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday. The 24-year-old came on as the sub in his first game back from hamstring surgery in last week's one-point win over Collingwood, but he was unleashed from the very start of Saturday's game before being subbed out early in the last. Young was the dominant figure of the opening term, and his ruthlessness in front of goal when his teammates continually missed was another sign of just how important he is to the club's flag push. "It's handy, and we've missed his ball use at times this year," Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said of Young's accuracy. "I thought he was clean, I thought he found space, I thought he finished well. He was sharp. "He gives another big body around there as well, which helps Andy (Brayshaw) and Caleb (Serong) and the other mids." Michael Frederick kicked a career-high four goals, Andrew Brayshaw racked up 32 disposals and eight clearances, while rising star Murphy Reid (23 disposals, one goal) tallied a whopping 15 score involvements. Four-time Glendinning-Allan Medallist Serong had to work hard for his 20 disposals and eight clearances under a tight tag from Brady Hough. For West Coast, defender Reuben Ginbey kept Josh Treacy goalless from nine disposals, Tim Kelly found form with 26 disposals, eight clearances and two goals, and Harley Reid (15 disposals, three clearances, two goals) battled hard amidst the boos. Reid limped off in the dying minutes with an ankle injury after being crunched in a tackle by Karl Worner. The win keeps Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four, while West Coast (1-18) have lost nine on the trot and are headed for their second wooden spoon in three seasons. West Coast were forced into a late change when defender Harry Edwards injured his hamstring in the warm-up, Harley Reid was target No.1 in the opening quarter. First, he was involved in a wrestle with Fremantle veteran Jaeger O'Meara. Later in the term, he was caught unaware when he was flattened in an off-the-ball bump from Patrick Voss (three goals). West Coast kept pace with Fremantle early, but two goals in a minute to Frederick, followed by two goals in a minute to Young, blew the scoreboard out to 40-12 by quarter-time. Fremantle's 14-7 clearance count in the opening quarter was ominous, with Young tallying 10 disposals, five clearances and two goals in a brilliant individual display. Frederick's third goal stretched the margin to 35 points early in the third quarter, but a magical running goal by Harley Reid helped keep West Coast in the contest. Fremantle dominated the rest of the quarter, but their wasteful return of 1.6 meant the half-time margin was only 22 points. The Dockers' wobbles continued early in the third quarter as West Coast cut the margin to 18 points, before Fremantle finally found their range to blow the margin wide open. "I think the scoreboard flattered us probably for a fair chunk of that game," West Coast coach Andrew McQualter said. "I think you saw a Fremantle team hungry, in a position where they're going to be fighting for finals, and their class probably just overwhelmed us." Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young has showcased what a weapon he will be in the club's AFL premiership push as the Dockers brushed aside West Coast by 49 points in a fiery western derby clash. Young tallied 23 disposals, seven clearances, three goals and 555m gained to win the Glendinning-Allan Medal in the 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph in front of 54,384 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday. The 24-year-old came on as the sub in his first game back from hamstring surgery in last week's one-point win over Collingwood, but he was unleashed from the very start of Saturday's game before being subbed out early in the last. Young was the dominant figure of the opening term, and his ruthlessness in front of goal when his teammates continually missed was another sign of just how important he is to the club's flag push. "It's handy, and we've missed his ball use at times this year," Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said of Young's accuracy. "I thought he was clean, I thought he found space, I thought he finished well. He was sharp. "He gives another big body around there as well, which helps Andy (Brayshaw) and Caleb (Serong) and the other mids." Michael Frederick kicked a career-high four goals, Andrew Brayshaw racked up 32 disposals and eight clearances, while rising star Murphy Reid (23 disposals, one goal) tallied a whopping 15 score involvements. Four-time Glendinning-Allan Medallist Serong had to work hard for his 20 disposals and eight clearances under a tight tag from Brady Hough. For West Coast, defender Reuben Ginbey kept Josh Treacy goalless from nine disposals, Tim Kelly found form with 26 disposals, eight clearances and two goals, and Harley Reid (15 disposals, three clearances, two goals) battled hard amidst the boos. Reid limped off in the dying minutes with an ankle injury after being crunched in a tackle by Karl Worner. The win keeps Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four, while West Coast (1-18) have lost nine on the trot and are headed for their second wooden spoon in three seasons. West Coast were forced into a late change when defender Harry Edwards injured his hamstring in the warm-up, Harley Reid was target No.1 in the opening quarter. First, he was involved in a wrestle with Fremantle veteran Jaeger O'Meara. Later in the term, he was caught unaware when he was flattened in an off-the-ball bump from Patrick Voss (three goals). West Coast kept pace with Fremantle early, but two goals in a minute to Frederick, followed by two goals in a minute to Young, blew the scoreboard out to 40-12 by quarter-time. Fremantle's 14-7 clearance count in the opening quarter was ominous, with Young tallying 10 disposals, five clearances and two goals in a brilliant individual display. Frederick's third goal stretched the margin to 35 points early in the third quarter, but a magical running goal by Harley Reid helped keep West Coast in the contest. Fremantle dominated the rest of the quarter, but their wasteful return of 1.6 meant the half-time margin was only 22 points. The Dockers' wobbles continued early in the third quarter as West Coast cut the margin to 18 points, before Fremantle finally found their range to blow the margin wide open. "I think the scoreboard flattered us probably for a fair chunk of that game," West Coast coach Andrew McQualter said. "I think you saw a Fremantle team hungry, in a position where they're going to be fighting for finals, and their class probably just overwhelmed us."
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
A golden effort, a cruel ending, a classic for the ages
It was, friends — the result aside — rugby at its very best. The second thing to celebrate was just how wonderfully the Wallabies played. I want my Australian teams to bleed for the jersey, to back themselves, to eschew the percentage play in favour of a damn-the-torpedoes, full-speed-ahead approach — and that is exactly how they played from the outset. After losing last week, our blokes started the match as 6-1 underdogs, criticised by former Lions coach Clive Woodward for having a 'losing mentality,' and there was a widespread feeling that we were simply outclassed. But under the captaincy of Harry Wilson, the Wallabies looked like a different team from the opening whistle. The lineouts worked. The scrums worked. Courtesy of the likes of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini coming into the pack this week, we had so much go-forward in the collisions that the Lions forwards were reeling with every clash. Loading In the backs, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright and Max Jorgensen made break after break. With ten minutes to go before half-time we had gone out to an 18-point lead, 23-5, courtesy of fabulous tries to James Slipper, Jake Gordon and Tom Wright - and it really looked as if not just a win but a blow-out win was on the cards! Even when the Lions came back with two tries of their own just before half-time, hope sprang eternal. For still the Wallabies didn't back off, tackling themselves red-raw meantime. The Australians even had the line wide-open at one point for what might have been the winning Wallabies try with ten minutes to go, only for our ball to be lost on heavy contact. It all came down to the final minute, with the Wallabies clinging to a 26–24 lead — only for the Lions to go over in extremis, in the corner. Many felt Lions flanker Jac Morgan's pulling down of Carlo Tizzano at a ruck just before Hugo Keenan scored, should have seen the try disallowed. Maybe. Maybe not. The ref said it was a legitimate try, and so be it. That technical loss aside, there was victory off the field in having staged such a match at the MCG — before a Lions world-record crowd of just over 90,000 — with many Victorians seizing the rare opportunity to witness a game of such global significance. With that in mind, I'll leave you with the words of Mr AFL himself, Eddie McGuire, who texted John Eales and myself immediately after the match ended. Folks, here's… Eddie!' 'What an amazing night for your code. 90,000 at the MCG! 'Record. Amazing game.,' McGuire messaged. 'Not sure why we didn't get the last penalty. Ref has no idea about setting up a huge result and a big final game. Another effing tax auditor ruining the game!! 'Almost the perfect result. Still an amazing night. You should be very proud of the rugby culture. A week of joy. More please!' More to come, Eddie. It will be at the Olympic Stadium, next Saturday night. The Australians will be waiting for the Lions. They're a team that has grown before our eyes over this past week, a team to be proud of. They will be even better next week, and if there is a rugby God, this time it will go our way!
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
A golden effort, a cruel ending, a classic for the ages
It was, friends — the result aside — rugby at its very best. The second thing to celebrate was just how wonderfully the Wallabies played. I want my Australian teams to bleed for the jersey, to back themselves, to eschew the percentage play in favour of a damn-the-torpedoes, full-speed-ahead approach — and that is exactly how they played from the outset. After losing last week, our blokes started the match as 6-1 underdogs, criticised by former Lions coach Clive Woodward for having a 'losing mentality,' and there was a widespread feeling that we were simply outclassed. But under the captaincy of Harry Wilson, the Wallabies looked like a different team from the opening whistle. The lineouts worked. The scrums worked. Courtesy of the likes of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini coming into the pack this week, we had so much go-forward in the collisions that the Lions forwards were reeling with every clash. Loading In the backs, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright and Max Jorgensen made break after break. With ten minutes to go before half-time we had gone out to an 18-point lead, 23-5, courtesy of fabulous tries to James Slipper, Jake Gordon and Tom Wright - and it really looked as if not just a win but a blow-out win was on the cards! Even when the Lions came back with two tries of their own just before half-time, hope sprang eternal. For still the Wallabies didn't back off, tackling themselves red-raw meantime. The Australians even had the line wide-open at one point for what might have been the winning Wallabies try with ten minutes to go, only for our ball to be lost on heavy contact. It all came down to the final minute, with the Wallabies clinging to a 26–24 lead — only for the Lions to go over in extremis, in the corner. Many felt Lions flanker Jac Morgan's pulling down of Carlo Tizzano at a ruck just before Hugo Keenan scored, should have seen the try disallowed. Maybe. Maybe not. The ref said it was a legitimate try, and so be it. That technical loss aside, there was victory off the field in having staged such a match at the MCG — before a Lions world-record crowd of just over 90,000 — with many Victorians seizing the rare opportunity to witness a game of such global significance. With that in mind, I'll leave you with the words of Mr AFL himself, Eddie McGuire, who texted John Eales and myself immediately after the match ended. Folks, here's… Eddie!' 'What an amazing night for your code. 90,000 at the MCG! 'Record. Amazing game.,' McGuire messaged. 'Not sure why we didn't get the last penalty. Ref has no idea about setting up a huge result and a big final game. Another effing tax auditor ruining the game!! 'Almost the perfect result. Still an amazing night. You should be very proud of the rugby culture. A week of joy. More please!' More to come, Eddie. It will be at the Olympic Stadium, next Saturday night. The Australians will be waiting for the Lions. They're a team that has grown before our eyes over this past week, a team to be proud of. They will be even better next week, and if there is a rugby God, this time it will go our way!
