Saturday Night I went down to my Uncle Russel’s place for a family party. Well what was this family Party for, no birthday, No Anniversary or Wedding, but rather a footy match! Essendon Bombers vs. The West Coast Eagles, this match was special mostly for the bombers and they were the ones wanted to win. Kevin Sheedy was playing his last game with the bombers. Kevin Sheedy has coached Essendon Bombers continuously since 1981.

On July 25^th 2007 a shock announcement was made that the experienced coach would not be coaching another season for the bombers. In essence they were sacking Sheedy. He created the tradition at the West Coast Eagles and Essendon Bombers Matches where the side of the winning team waves their jackets.

James Hird also retired on Friday night, and it was one hell of a send off. The Eagles began in front and well technically because of travel to the party it seemed that we missed the first quarter. Eagles led with five goals and one behind, Essendon with Two goals and Three Behinds Giving the Eagles a total of 31 points, and Essendon 15. Things looked good at this point for West Coast.

We arrived at that time and I had realised I had forgotten my jacket. And it was cold and starting to sprinkle down with rain. So we unpacked the Ute and brought our stuff inside and I realised how big their house actually was. Ours is officially bigger.

Going out we found a few of our cousins and some mates of Russel and Jodi’s were already there and watching the game. And the Barbecue was on and the sausages were cooking. Soon enough we had some bourbon and Coke, my first drink in a month, and like my fifth or sixth this year. So not long after that did we notice the Decor. The Whole Bar/Shed was in Essendon bombers. I believe I have a picture of the Bar from later that night.

So anyway the match went on. So we basically played pool and watched the game go on. Things didn’t really heat up until the final two minutes of the game when all eyes were fixed on the match, it looked like Essendon might actually go in front, Just behind by Two points Essendon made a desperate fight but were overcome by West Coast who scored one final goal in the match. And that settled it; the Eagles won the game.

The end of it was magnificent with Kevin Sheedy and Hird’s goodbye. The Eagles supporters waving their jackets and cheering as Kevin Sheedy made his way down laughing about it. Tears filled the stadium as Sheedy and Hird finished of their careers with heart-warming speeches. I mean even I was feeling a tear come to my eye. 

John Worsfold the Eagles coach then presented a special Jacket with the eagles and Essendon Colours and Sheedy said, it looked like a jacket from some Italian Soccer club. Hird himself had a good and teary goodbye with his wife and kids. His daughter Stephanie Hird (aged Wrote this about her dad retiring.

Joy No More Pasta

“I feel sad about my dad playing his last game, as I wont be able to watch him play footy any more. I love watching Dad play footy. I feel proud when I watch him get the ball and kick goals.

I love it when he does something special and the crowd yells in excitement. I love people to think my dad is a good player.I love going to the rooms. If Essendon loses, we have to wait until Dad says we can join in the stretches, and everyone looks very sad and are quiet. But when Essendon wins, it’s the best because everyone is excited and talks a lot.We play with other players’ children.Kevin Sheedy always says Hello and makes us feel welcome. I am going to miss the rooms. I love the footy club. The players always say hello and play with us. I especially like playing on the equipment – the rope, the crash mat and the boxing ring and playing footy with the players.I also love playing footy with Phil and he also lets us help him clean the boots, which is his job. I am going to miss the footy club.I am very sad that all these things aren’t going to happen any more when Dad stops playing football.But I am happy too, because we are going to get a dog, and Dad wont get injured any more and will be able to play more sport with us.We will have much more time on the weekends to do things as a family. I am looking forward to not having to eat pasta every night before a football game!”

 I think it was great, a great night up until then and the laughs continued on through the night. Well me and a bunch of people had a good old-fashioned sing along, one of which was some German guy and that Irish guy who seemed to be getting close to Uncle Russel a lot. Anyway that was the night, I didn’t get any sleep on my uncomfortable waterbed and then we went home.- Smiley