Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy has tipped West Coast to defeat Sydney in Saturday's grand final, and he believes the Eagles have what it takes to match the Brisbane Lions of 2001-3 by going on to win three premierships in-a-row.
Sheedy said that Eagles have a unique blend of outstanding midfield depth and talent to support the work of their "dinosaurs" Dean Cox, Mark Seaby and Michael Gardiner.
When asked for his tip on Tuesday, Sheedy was emphatic: "West Coast, and probably for the next three years, too, the way they've lined up their list."
"They're going to be a very serious side over the next three years with the talent base they’ve got and the ruck strength they've got over most of the other clubs."
Sheedy said it was no coincidence that the Eagles have provided the past two Brownlow Medalists and managed to have three midfielders - Chris Judd, runner-up Daniel Kerr and winner Ben Cousins - in the top eight votegetters in last night's count.
"If Judd's eighth and they've got one, two ahead of Judd at the moment, then where are we all? We might as well go and have a wonderful Christmas this year and pray."
Sheedy said he believed that star Sydney forward Barry Hall's appearance before the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night will have no bearing on the grand final result.
"I think that West Coast will win whether Barry Hall is playing or not. That's just my opinion."
Sheedy said however that Sydney coach Paul Roos had done a fine job to keep the Swans viable right through to the last Saturday in September.
"Roos has done very well to get that Sydney team through from a last-four-seconds shot at goal by Nick Davis to a grand final. So what would Geelong be thinking?"
Sheedy said that Eagles have a unique blend of outstanding midfield depth and talent to support the work of their "dinosaurs" Dean Cox, Mark Seaby and Michael Gardiner.
When asked for his tip on Tuesday, Sheedy was emphatic: "West Coast, and probably for the next three years, too, the way they've lined up their list."
"They're going to be a very serious side over the next three years with the talent base they’ve got and the ruck strength they've got over most of the other clubs."
Sheedy said it was no coincidence that the Eagles have provided the past two Brownlow Medalists and managed to have three midfielders - Chris Judd, runner-up Daniel Kerr and winner Ben Cousins - in the top eight votegetters in last night's count.
"If Judd's eighth and they've got one, two ahead of Judd at the moment, then where are we all? We might as well go and have a wonderful Christmas this year and pray."
Sheedy said he believed that star Sydney forward Barry Hall's appearance before the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night will have no bearing on the grand final result.
"I think that West Coast will win whether Barry Hall is playing or not. That's just my opinion."
Sheedy said however that Sydney coach Paul Roos had done a fine job to keep the Swans viable right through to the last Saturday in September.
"Roos has done very well to get that Sydney team through from a last-four-seconds shot at goal by Nick Davis to a grand final. So what would Geelong be thinking?"
