Essendon may have slumped to its lowest ebb is a diabolical season to date, but club legend Kevin Sheedy has gone to astonishing lengths to ensure fans keep the faith.
Saints’ superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera continued his scintillating form as he pulled the strings in midfield in a percentage-boosting 17.15 (117) to 7.8 (50) victory at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
The Bombers were simply blown off the park in the first half, trailling by at the main break.
That left some fans ready to head for home, but the Bombers great wasn’t letting them, blocking the aisle and imploring them to stay and support the embattled side.
‘Forcing fans to stay at the game is a new low and it’s awesome,’ former AFL star Dan Gorringe commented on his Dan Does Footy Instagram account.
‘Honestly if Kevin sheedy told me to sit back down I probably would,’ one fan replied.
Kevin Sheedy blocked departing Essendon supporters, urging heartbroken fans to remain in their seats despite another crushing Bombers defeat
St Kilda dominated from the opening bounce, cruising to a comprehensive 67-point victory over a struggling Essendon outfit
Sheedy’s emotional plea quickly went viral, with fans praising the Bombers legend’s passion despite the club’s disastrous season continuing
Sheedy coached Essendon across 635 games, winning four premierships and leading the club to seven grand final appearances
‘I don’t know what’s more sad, him begging them to stay and suffer or them actually listening to him,’ another added.
‘Sheedy is the final boss in a game no one wants to play,’ another posted.
Sheedy coached Essendon from 1981 to 2007, leading the Bombers in 635 games.
He delivered four premierships: 1984, 1985, 1993 and 2000 and took the side to seven grand final appearances.
The huge win improved St Kilda’s record to seven wins and nine losses – one win outside the finals places – while the Bombers (1-15) are still without a victory from five outings under interim coach Dean Solomon.
Wanganeen-Milera set a new personal-best disposal tally for the second time in as many matches, finishing with one goal and 906 metres gained as best afield, while Bradley Hill (42 touches) was also influential.
‘We expect them to be (prolific). They’re experienced and top-level players,’ Lyon said.
‘They play to the level that’s required, to be honest. We don’t see it as a bonus.’
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera starred again with a career-high 46 disposals in the smashing
Essendon slumped to 1-15, remaining winless under interim coach Dean Solomon after five difficult matches in charge of the Bombers
Dean Solomon insisted Essendon’s players remain united, vowing the Bombers will continue fighting
Hill finished with a limp after he had a foot stood on in the dying stages.
‘We wait and assess,’ Lyon said.
‘Things that you think are innocuous turn out to be something more significant, and things you think are significant turn out to be innocuous.
‘Until it’s 72 hours out, you’re never that confident.’
There were plenty of contributors for St Kilda, who posted a triple-figure score for the seventh time this season.
Max Hall (33), Hugo Garcia (29) and Mason Wood (27) were among the major ball-winners, while Callum Wilkie led a solid back-line, and Darcy Wilson shone with two goals from 25 touches.
Liam Ryan, Rowan Marshall, Jack Higgins and Anthony Caminiti (two each) were all among the Saints’ dozen goal-kickers.
Wilson had the first major on the board inside the opening minute and St Kilda never trailed, putting a 71-point break on their opponents when piling on eight goals to one in the second quarter.
Essendon never had any momentum or control in the contest, despite the efforts of Sam Durham (24 disposals, nine clearances) and Zach Merrett (28 touches).
Young key forward Nate Caddy finished with 3.3 from 12 disposals.
Solomon admitted it was hard to find positives from the performance after a horror first-half display, but denied his players have lost hope.
‘They’re pretty proud individually and collectively. It’s a jumper we love and a club we love, so they’re disappointed,’ Solomon said.
‘They’re still there, they want to fight until the end and they want to finish (the season) with momentum.
‘It’s very tough now. We know that and we understand that, but we won’t fracture … at the moment it’s a tough period of time, but we stick together.’
