Sheedy California dreamin'

^{California gold: Kevin Sheedy believes the Federal Government and the AFL should invest in a California ground and eventually have an AFL team based there.}

JACKIE EPSTEIN: You've lived through some exciting times. Take me through some of the memories.

KEVIN SHEEDY: In the '70s clubs were kidding themselves going broke. There was poor financial planning, so that really stood out. Who in the hell would have thought in the '70s that - 30 years later - your next TV opportunity might be a billion dollars. One thing I've always felt lucky to have been is a full-time player in 1973. Then I was a full-time coach in '81. And I was probably the first at both.

Were the 1980s your favourite?
The '80s were exciting because you could control your destiny. And because you were actually coaching a team, you could throw your thoughts in behind it. Looking at it in terms of music and entertainment, you were a guitar player in a rock band called Richmond as a player in the '70s. In the '80s you become a producer and a director of a rock band called Essendon.

And the 1990s?
They were huge because all of a sudden the power of change took place. The mergers started and in came Port (Adelaide) and Fremantle. Ten premierships walked out of Victoria for the good of the game. That's why I'm not sure how much clubs should say about the development of the game. They should have some control, but they shouldn't stop the development of another team and progression of the game.

So did the Kangaroos make a mistake by not going to the Gold Coast?
All we know is we want a team on the Gold Coast. Whether it's a 17th or 18th team, all you're doing is developing another 150-200 people to run the business and get it right. All we've been doing early doors is transferring these VFA/VFL teams into a much larger business. I'm forever meeting people who were in the VFA and VFL in other states. They've all moved. And in that movement, whether it be Queensland or New South Wales, it's amazing how many people are from Victoria. I don't have a problem with an 18th team in Sydney. Other people might.

So what do you think the future holds for the AFL?
The Australian Government and AFL should invest in a Californian ground. You've got about 40 million people and it will probably take 10 hours to fly there one day. It's nothing. The next Australian type person lives in Vancouver, San Francisco and Los Angeles. And that's where I see gold. 2025 . . we've got to be planning for it now and eventually have a team over there. Why not move the game off-shore? I think they will within five years.

If we can get an icon game like Anzac Day and the Dreamtime game and get $500,000, what's wrong with going overseas and getting a $1 million if it was available. You're only taking two hours off the fans in Australia for one match that might keep the club financially alive.

Already you've got a ground built in Fort Lauderdale. We can really build local footy with 40 teams already in America. Maybe when the AFL gets to 18 teams it might have two conferences.

That's where it'll be heading, very similar to the American system.

In terms of rules, I think kicking backwards except in the front half of the ground will be play on. And you'll have more than four on the bench in finals. It's a new series and you need more.

What about a night Grand Final?
My suggestion is try one and give everybody a couple of years notice. If someone had said Twenty20 cricket five years ago they would have said what is it. That's the AFL's opportunity in America. The Americans would find a Test match too long for no result, one day is exciting and Twenty20 is just a "wham bam, thank you, ma'am" and we're out of here. That goes for about as long as an AFL game. I reckon AFL could really get into the market and then head to Europe.

What's your involvement in the 150-year celebrations of football?
The future's going to start in August next year when 18 countries are coming here, 1000 players are going to be in Melbourne and Warrnambool. We must send them home absolutely inspired by this game. We're working on that already to make it the most exciting International Cup ever. I also believe in icon games. Icon games are between two clubs who have a synergy and that's what the Eureka game will be between North Melbourne and Richmond.

What about life post 60?
It's been good to have time out, sit back and reflect, and enjoy yourself. It's hard to tell people you actually love a game. They think love is only for a partner or children but there's lots of love like in music and theatre. I've got everything I ever needed to have out of this game but I'm still getting more. And who knows, that might mean coaching again one day.

Article courtesy of Sunday Herald Sun

- Jackie Epstein
(1050)