Essendon rocked by Kevin Sheedy exit news as AFL fans pay tribute to legendary figure

Essendon legend Kevin Sheedy has confirmed he will step down from the Bombers' board at the end of the season - almost four years after he was appointed in the wake of a tumultuous campaign. Sheedy joined the Essendon board in October 2020 with the sole purpose of helping the club rebuild its football program.

During his time as director, Sheedy helped implement a pivotal external review as well as appointed a new senior coach, chief executive and general manager of football. The Bombers (11-9-1) currently sit 10th on the AFL ladder and will need to win their final two matches of the season to have a chance of making the finals.

Essendon haven't won a final since 2004 but there is a growing sense of belief that they are building towards something special. And as Sheedy leaves his post at the Bombers, he says he is walking away confident that the club is on the "road to success".

"The club is in excellent hands with president David Barham and the current board," Sheedy said in a statement. "Vice president Andrew Welsh is doing an excellent job, looking after the football aspects from a board point of view.

"I was happy to step up and help when asked by Paul Brasher in 2020, and I have always done everything that I can to help this club. This will never stop. I am very confident under the leadership of CEO Craig Vozzo and coach Brad Scott that we are on the road to success.

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"We have returned to being a football club where our ultimate focus is on winning football games and making our members and supporters proud with everything we do. Essendon means so much to so many people and with the current stability and renewed focus at the football club, we have the right foundations for sustainable success."

Sheedy coached Essendon for 27 years from 1981-2007, guiding the club to four flags in that time. The Bombers and Tigers legend was also the inaugural coach and a former director of Greater Western Sydney. And upon learning he was stepping down from the board, Essendon fans took to social media to thank him for his service.

Sheedy will still hold a role at Essendon as a paid ambassador dealing with coteries, past players, and influential sponsors - a position he previously held before being appointed to the board. The 76-year-old is an Essendon life member and Hall of Fame Legend, an AFL and Richmond life member and an AFL Hall of Fame Legend.

Daniel Giansiracusa latest to snub West Coast coaching job

Meanwhile, Essendon assistant Daniel Giansiracusa has become the latest to pull out of the running for the West Coast coaching job. Giansiracusa stated he wants to remain in Victoria for family reasons and therefore does not wish to be considered for the Eagles position.

Adam Simpson's departure has left a huge role available at the Eagles for 2025, with the club desperately looking for a head coach to provide their playing group with some stability over the future of the club. Sydney Swans' Dean Cox, Port Adelaide’s Josh Carr, Fremantle’s Jaymie Graham and former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley have all reportedly stated they are not interested in the Eagles job.

And with a number of top prospects turning down the opportunity, interim coach Jarrad Schofield appears to be the favourite to continue in his role next year, with his chances boosted after back-to-back wins over Gold Coast and North Melbourne.

with AAP