Any NZer's Want to Play for New AFL Team?

Kevin Sheedy's world vision for GWS

Mark Robinson

November 09, 2009 12:00AM

PIONEERING West Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy will scour the world for players to build his team.

Ever the visionary, Sheedy was officially named yesterday as coach of the expansion team and immediately revealed his grand plan, warning no country was beyond his recruiting reach.

He hopes the "magic triangle" from the Riverina, western Sydney and Canberra will supply a huge batch of players, but the world, he believes, is his back yard.

"We'll go anywhere to find players ... it's all about talent," the 61-year-old said.

"If I can find two players out of South Africa then we'll go for it, the Pacific Islands absolutely, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand.

"It's about opening up the door to the AFL bigger than it's been open up before.

"The last 10 years at Essendon we had players from America, Japan and Africa train with us.

"I needed a break after Essendon, I'd had it, but the last two years have opened my eyes to what can be done."

As for chasing uncontracted players from AFL clubs ahead of the 2012 start, Sheedy said the competition's stars - Buddy Franklin, Cyril Rioli, Gary Ablett or New South Wales-born Lenny Hayes - were not priorities.

He wants a particular type of player to build his team and the club, which he hopes will become an icon of far western Sydney.

"I know what kind of player I want," Sheedy said. "You have to look for a certain type of player, a certain quality of person.

"Everyone wants a superstar, but I don't think you have to have a superstar. We want a super club, we want a type of person who can create a fantastic club.

"Having a great club is No. 1. I want people saying: 'I want to go to West Sydney'.

"If one or two superstars want to come, that's OK. If one of the guys says he wants to captain the club and make it something, then it would irresponsible not to look at that person."

Icons are never far from Sheedy's vision.

"Could you imagine if you could build a club as good as the Opera House," he said.

"Look, is Manchester the most attractive city in the world? No. Manchester United put Manchester on the map."

Sheedy and his wife Geraldine will move to Sydney in the new year, although his appointment is effective immediately, which will include visiting sports clubs overseas.

The AFL is advertising for assistant coaches, which Sheedy will select, and the important recruiting and football managerial positions will be announced soon.