Greater Western Sydney mentor Kevin Sheedy has discussed a return to Essendon with Bombers chairman Paul Little, but the AFL icon doesn't expect to be coaching his old club in the absence of James Hird next year.
Sheedy, speaking in Sydney a day after the Bombers accepted a series of AFL charges that will cripple the club, left the door open on adding a 28th season to his storied Essendon coaching career.
However, the 65-year-old who delivered four premierships to Windy Hill gave every indication on Wednesday that it wouldn't happen.
"It's a hard job coaching Essendon, I know," Sheedy replied when asked if he'd consider filling the shoes of Hird, who has been suspended for the 2014 regular season.
"It was hard enough coaching them without the problems.
"They're a good club; they're fantastic. I don't think that will come my way to be honest, but it's all fun.
"I won't be putting my hand up for it ... I don't think I'll put my hand up for a job anymore. I learned that down with Melbourne," he added, in reference to his infamous interview for the Demons' top job in 2007.
Sheedy, who was approached by Essendon coterie groups asking him to return to his old club in some capacity, said he'd had limited talks with Little.
"I was down at Merv Neagle's tribute night and bumped into him then ... obviously they've been very, very busy," Sheedy said.
"(But) you don't even have to live in Melbourne to help the Bombers.
"Most of the time, you can help other clubs even if you live in Sydney or Queensland, or you become a free agent and go about it your way. A lot of different things can happen."
Sheedy offered a range of opinions about Essendon's saga, saying the supplement program was "probably their worst decision" in the history of the club.
"I'd be annoyed if I thought someone injected my son ... if what was in the supplements was incorrect," he said.
Asked about Hird's penalties, Sheedy noted "James Hird is a very, very good person", but also that his former captain was "very, very lucky" that he had the chance to coach in next year's finals series.
Sheedy compared the sanctions to a "Muhammad Ali knockout. One of the greatest hits you'd ever get in AFL ... and in sport in general", but backed Essendon to recover quickly.
"It shouldn't (be a major setback), because they're a huge club. They don't even know how good they can be yet," he said.
Sheedy will coach the final game of his GWS tenure on Sunday against Gold Coast.
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