Master coach Kevin Sheedy talks with recruit Israel Folau after a game this earlier this year. Picture: Kym Smith. Source: The Daily Telegraph
KEVIN Sheedy, multiple premiership player with Richmond and coach with Essendon, was one of the few to have a sense of perspective as Israel Folau quit the Australian winter game yesterday afternoon.
Sheedy has always been a visionary, always one to take a punt, and he was saddened to see Folau leave the game and, as expected, return to rugby league.
The core of his sentiments ran like this: "We would never know how good Folau would have become, because it takes time to learn a new sport, but he had been a fantastic young fella to work with."
The industry has watched and scrutinised Folau closely over the past year.
Two camps formed: some argued he was a ridiculous signing, earning money close to the top five players in the competition while being statistically ranked among the worst in the land.
Those views were harsh, because as a player, he was on about the average wage. The rest of his pay packet was for promotional purposes, and he created enough headline to justify every dollar.
He was just an average player, albeit one with above-average promise. But it's not difficult to make a case that the quietly-spoken Folau earned his money.
At 23, there was time for Folau to turn into a player, much like Jim Stynes and Tadhg Kennelly did, and Sheedy, for one, had the patience. The game didn't, and it seems Folau didn't either.
Sheedy knows a punt is worth it just ask him about Bel Esprit or Black Caviar or former US footballer Dwayne Armstrong who he had playing in Essendon's reserves.
Not all punts pay off, but it doesn't mean you stop trying.
Sheedy also had Tim Watson come out of retirement, restored the career of ex-Cat John Barnes and will continue to look for an edge.
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