Kevin Sheedy in Broken Hill - Giants 'may be' after Walker

Kevin Sheedy, the coach of new AFL outfit Greater Western Sydney, is in Broken Hill today encouraging support for his team and keeping an eye out for local talent.

On a trip that is taking in most of New South Wales and parts of the Northern Territory, Sheedy is spruiking his new club and connecting with junior and senior football leagues across the country.

He remained tight lipped about rumours his team are planning on making a bid for local talent, and current Crows player, Taylor Walker.

"Maybe our recruiting staff could be talking to his manager... but I would know more about that at the end of the season, on all the players off contract."

When it comes to players like Walker, Kevin is positive about The Giants' pulling power, saying "we've got a decent amount of money in our salary cap to go and find players off contract."

The west

Kevin Sheedy is hoping The Giants will be able to turn their large zone in regional New South Wales into a considerable support base of fans.

"Our zone really extends from the Homebush Olympic Stadium... and from there, right here to Broken Hill, down to Wentworth and right back to Eden and then goes up the coast of NSW to a little town called Berri.

"This first trip is about connecting with the people in our zone, particularly the junior footy league and the senior league here in Broken Hill."

Kevin says he's aware of the talent pool in Broken Hill and has had good fortune with local players in the past.

"Obviously I've had previous success with Dean Solomon out of Broken Hill; he was a marvellous player for the Bombers."

Wanting to distance his team from the struggling Gold Coast Suns who only had one year to recruit their squad, Kevin says The Giants still have plenty of time to make decisions regarding specific players.

Ultimately, he says, it is the sport of football itself that will be the big winner from new teams, such as Greater Western Sydney and the Gold Coast Suns, coming into the game.

"You know, having a new team come in in West Sydney, now that takes it up to about 800 contracts in AFL clubs and that's an amazing story in sport alone."

The Greater Western Sydney Giants will begin their first AFL preseason in February of 2012.

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