In a stinging attack on a number of players who have now left the club after the Bombers managed only eight wins in 2005, Sheedy cited a lack of discipline and a lack of support for outgoing captain James Hird as two of the main reasons for the club's poor performance both on and off the field last season.
"Some players in this club let James Hird down last year - but they are not here now," declared a forthright Sheedy prior to the Bombers' first training session at Carrara on Sunday during the club's AFL Community Camp on the Gold Coast.
"Some of the boys weren't dedicated so I didn't think they deserved a game - but they are gone anyway.
"I doubt we will have any of those problems (discipline) at our club this year."
The players who left Essendon during the off-season included Mark Alvey, Marc Bullen, Damian Cupido, Ben Haynes, Sam Hunt and Ty Zantuck - who were all delisted - Justin Murphy (retired), Matthew Allan (retired) and Ted Richards (traded to Sydney).
Sheedy conceded some behaviour off the field was largely out of the club's hands but he noticed a few trends on the field.
"In some areas off the ground a lot of our middle-order players let themselves down," he said.
"Also on the ground with head-high tackles and giving away free kicks that shouldn't happen."
Essendon's 8-14 record in 2005 was the master coach's worst in 25 years at Windy Hill and with new captain Matthew Lloyd at the helm, matters have been addressed over the summer.
"We have had some pretty serious meetings in the off season," Sheedy said.
"I don't think we will be seeing much of that (lack of discipline) happening this season.
"Our players will work within their own ranks to sort that out."
Sheedy defended Hird's reign last year but backed the captaincy change before it became too late for Lloyd to have the opportunity.
"You got to let some guys have a crack at captaincy at some stage of their career before they are too old to be a good captain," Sheedy explained.
"Lloyd is the right age and Hirdy has done the right thing by the club and himself."
The new regime will have its first real test in the NAB Cup opener against the Brisbane Lions at Carrara on Friday night after the club's win over the Sydney Swans in a practice match in Sydney last Friday night. Essendon will be out of Melbourne for more than a week.
"I am happy with quality of blokes up here and they what know what the deal is by being professional with the community camp," added Sheedy.
"To rest up, look after their bodies and get ready for a game against one of the best teams for the last five years - Friday is a big game."
The Bombers were welcomed to the Gold Coast on Sunday at a civic reception by Mayor Ron Clarke who besides being one of Australia's greatest athletes, is also the brother of dual-premiership player and former captain Jack Clarke, regarded as one of Essendon's favourite sons.
The players then headed to Carrara and mingled with the kids at an AFL super clinic before training before a legion of fans under lights on the newly-redeveloped ground.
The Bombers will fulfil their community camp duties on Monday and Tuesday with a variety of hospital and school visits, footy forum and more footy clinics as they visit the northern part of the coast following Melbourne's successful visit to the southern region two weeks ago.
Essendon will conduct another public training session on Wednesday evening at Carrara at the same time the Lions are training at Coorparoo before both teams clash on Friday night in the first of four matches at the venue in 2006.
