STRONG friendships tend to survive arguments, and that has certainly been the case with Kevin Sheedy and long-time mate Brian Donohoe.

They have known each other since the end of 1980, when Donohoe was a member of the Essendon committee that selected Sheedy over Allan Jeans to coach the Bombers.

Donohoe, who played 34 games for Essendon from 1957-60 and later represented Tasmania, was the Bombers’ chairman of selectors from 1980-86 and head of recruiting from 1988-96.

When it came to football matters, the pair often disagreed before finding common ground.

Donohoe recalled such an instance where Sheedy planned to use South Australian recruit Paul Weston in the centre, rather than in his usual defensive post. Donohoe told Sheedy that Weston “wouldn’t have the faintest idea” how to play such a role.

“Kevin won the argument at first because he just went ahead and started Weston in the centre anyway, but I ended up winning because Weston was moved to full-back after half-time (early in his career),” he said. “That was a bit of fun.”

Donohoe, 76, revealed he also “set Kevin straight” on a couple of other issues early in his reign at Windy Hill.

“Kevin wanted to play for Richmond in a past players’ game against Essendon, but we couldn’t have that,” he said.

“At one point, he also wanted to teach the players on the field, which he felt would be better for their development. I informed him that his job was to coach, not to play as well.

“We’ve had our differences, but that was never a problem because we respected each other’s opinion. Kevin listens and, if he thinks it’s a fair deal, he’s happy to go with what you say.”

It was almost impossible for Donohoe to satisfy Sheedy’s recruiting demands.

“Kevin’s ideal footballer was an Anthony Koutoufides type – six-foot two or six-foot three (188-190cm), who could play in the middle, and almost any other position if needed, and run all day,” he said. “There weren’t any real wishes for small players, but we still managed to pick up a few good ones anyway.”

Sheedy’s passion for Essendon won him the coaching job ahead of St Kilda premiership coach Jeans, Donohue said.

“Kevin spoke about how he barracked for Essendon as a kid and how much it would mean to him,” he said. “He gave us a different vision to lead us into a new era.

“He made the club more professional. The first thing he did as coach was make sure every player was given their own football, so they could handle a ball at all times and improve their skills.

“He also impressed upon the players that they should aspire to live a better, grander life. Rather than just have club functions at the football club, he’d make sure we went to a nice hotel. Little things like that made a real difference to the attitude of the place.”

Away from the game, Sheedy and Donohoe have rarely argued.

“You couldn’t meet a more loyal person than Kevin,” Donohoe said.

The loyalty has been returned in kind, an example being Donohoe offering Sheedy the final place in the syndicate that bought champion racehorse and now successful sire Bel Esprit. They still talk weekly.

“I congratulated Kevin the other week on finally winning his first game for the year,” Donohoe said.