loris bertolacci

Kevin Sheedy and Loris Bertolacci

Congrats to Sheeds

I started at Essendon in February 87 and finished up in 98 so I think I know the bloke really well. And how could I forget 1998 when there were question marks on his remaining at EFC. And even 1991 when I had coffee with him and he was mulling over offers to Sydney. Amazing. Meetings with him at the Hilton near the MCG. HA. He would take all the little jam thingos home for his kids. The doctor would be talking about injured players and Sheeds would see someone he knew and just waltz over in the middle of the meeting. Only he could do it.

I probably went through a total football department and nearly the full list in my time at Essendon with Sheeds. Even with administration I think an accountant was the only stayer through that period with Sheeds and I.

I remember a team building exercise we had in the country somewhere in 98 and all the staff had to do all the personality questionnaires. ( DISC) Well I was totally gobsmacked when the psych told me that I had the same personality as Sheeds. It really amused Mark Thompson no end. What the psych told us later was that I had an “objective” side to my personality whilst Sheeds was all arty farty. Thank heavens for that. But he left that till after so he could amuse the boys.

Sad to leave in 1998 but I thought it was time to try something different so I resigned and thanked Sheeds for my time there. I never forget that day. Sitting in that office talking to Sheeds about going to Geelong, Mark Thompson just walked past with his little bag and waved to us and said bye bye. Danny Corcoran had left the year before and David Wheadon also. The one constant in life is change.

Lucky to have my time at EFC with Sheeds and who could forget when we were in Canberra and Peter Costello showed us around the Cabinet Room and Sheeds sat in the PM’s chair. That said it all. Very funny stuff.

July 25, 2007 - Posted by Loris Bertolacci | AFL