Essendon will break new ground this Saturday when they become the first team other than the GIANTS to play at Spotless Stadium five times.
The Bombers were the GIANTS’ first ever opponent at Spotless Stadium and the Sydney Olympic Park venue was the scene for the GIANTS’ first ever win over Essendon in round 19, 2015.
Having played at Spotless Stadium a number of times before, the Bombers Army are expected to turn out in big numbers for their fifth game in six years at the venue.
The GIANTS and Bombers have always had a close link, mainly due to one man who has been instrumental in the growth of both clubs; Kevin Sheedy.
Not only did he lead Essendon to four flags as coach over a 27-year period, he then moved to Sydney to take up the role as the inaugural Head Coach of the GIANTS.
Even today when he’s back at the Bombers as General Manager of Innovations and Strategy, Sheedy still holds a special place at the GIANTS as the first life member of the club.
While Sheedy is the most famous name to have been involved in both camps, he’s not the only one.
After playing 232 games in the red and black, Mark McVeigh moved home to NSW at the end of 2012 and took charge of the GIANTS Academy before moving into an Assistant Coaching role at the GIANTS which in 2017 sees him in charge of the backline.
Kurt Aylett, Shaun Edwards, Jon Giles and James Stewart have all started their playing careers at the GIANTS before moving on to Essendon.
Stewart, who played 18 games for the GIANTS, it the only one left on the 2017 Essendon playing list with the mobile forward playing a key role for his new club in the last three weeks.
There has also been a number of GIANTS who made their debuts against Essendon, including Aidan Corr, Rory Lobb and Matt Kennedy.
After playing 35 straight games, Lobb missed the round 10 win over West Coast due to a groin injury but could return this week.
Lobb joined the exclusive club of players who’ve kicked a goal with their first kick in the AFL when he lined up against the Bombers in round 12, 2014. And who could forget Matt Kennedy’s debut at Etihad Stadium in 2016 when the boy from Collingullie booted three important majors in his first game.
The GIANTS go into the match undefeated at Spotless Stadium in 2017 and with it being the last match at home until July due to the upcoming bye, GIANTS fans and members are encouraged to get to Spotless Stadium to watch this much-anticipated contest.
