Martin flew to the Harbour City during the week after his father’s death last Friday in New Zealand, spending time with relatives as well as friends he cherishes outside of the Melbourne AFL bubble.Sydney, in particular Manly, has been a home away from home for Martin who relishes the opportunity to fly north at any opportunity to spend time with friends outside the AFL world and live in relative anonymity. For the tattooed champion of the game, anywhere in Australia is difficult to find peace. People close to the Richmond ball magnet say he is in good spirits and remains committed – training the house down and is looking forward to a big season in 2022. Former West Coast champ and St Kilda player Michael Gardiner has been a rock in Dusty’s world providing emotional support and helping the Brownlow medallist through his difficult times. AFL CHAMP RETURNS TO PUB AFTER NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE Just 35 days ago, Paul Dimattina was fighting for life in a Melbourne hospital. But in the past week the former Western Bulldogs champ has been able to return to his exclusive South Melbourne watering hole, Lamaro’s, in time for the Christmas rush. The outspoken publican is thankful to be alive after his ‘near death experience’.“It was very weird to interact with other human beings. I’m a social butterfly so I don’t do well sitting on the couch watching TV and reading newspapers,” Dimattina said.“It was nice to be back amongst normal people, again. “I was in isolation for ten days, then at home for three weeks. “There’s only so many Fox Footy re-runs you can watch.“My confidence is back, my breathing is back to normal and I’m feeling like the real me again. “I haven’t had a drink for four weeks, I just don’t have the pallet for it. I’m sure I will at some stage but I just don’t feel like it at the moment. “(But) it is good to be back at Lamaro’s. “The popular 47-year-old spoke of the support from family, friends and well wishers with one very high profile international celebrity reaching out. “Between text emails and phone calls, honestly 1000, and a lot of letters by well wishers sent to the pub. “So thank you to everyone who reached out. “And I did receive a message from Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham whilst I was in hospital, which was great.” KEVIN SHEEDY EXPLAINS ALEX CAREY DECISION Alex Carey was a gun junior footballer who was an inaugural member of the Greater Western Sydney Giants squad. Carey’s desire to become an AFL footballer outweighed his love of cricket and he was willing to go to great lengths to achieve his dream. But in his way was stiff competition for a midfield spot in the AFL’s newest franchise, which meant he was up against teammates who later became some of the best players in the league. Stephen Coniglio, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams, Callan Ward, Toby Greene, Josh Kelly, Tom Scully, Devon Smith and Dylan Shiel all stood between Carey and a berth in the Giants squad.The Giants coach at the time, Kevin Sheedy, explained the conundrum facing Carey. “Well … he was a fantastic young player and showed great leadership skills, but we had 15 midfielders, already. “One of the difficulties of that is you have to do right by the person, so I said, ‘Look, if you are really good at cricket and you love cricket as much as football, in the end it might be the best way to go, because you might be held up here’,” Sheedy told Sheahan Ink. “You tell the kid to take a massive risk and take Test cricket, so it was a tough choice and hard call but he made a good call.” Sheedy’s vision for Carey would turn out to be a masterstroke. Carey worked his backside off and is now an integral member of the Australian cricket Test team which will go head to head against England today in the Boxing Day Test. The pair now share a bond and often communicate via text message. “Yeah, we text each other and give each other sh-t,” Sheedy laughed.“I wished him all the best, tell him I hope he has a long career even though he is starting late.” Carey turned 30 this year which may be considered mature in the sporting world, but Sheedy scoffed at the thought. “Who cares how old he is … don’t bury people with birthdates. “I still think Jane Fonda (83) is a good sort, so get over it. “It’s a win-win. A great story.”SHEEDY SUPPORTS GIANTS 3 CAPTAINS The Giants decision to anoint three captains for the 2022 season has also been backed in by Sheedy. He said the club’s decision to appoint Toby Greene and Josh Kelly to lead alongside Stephen Coniglio will be great for the club. “Personally, I think it can get out of hand having one person as captain,” he said.“We started off with three captains, Luke Power, Callan Ward and Phil Davis, so it doesn’t matter if you have a captain and two vice captains which I used to have.“You know what I think, I think it’s just a position. If you don’t have seven leaders at your club, you are kidding yourself.”RICKY NIXON’S BRUSH WITH THE LAW AFL player agent pioneer Ricky Nixon was hosting a business lunch in Melbourne’s CBD when he received a frantic call from his partner Melissa. Police were keen to speak with the former AFL player about a matter in Bay St involving a Rolls Royce and a dog. The police buzzed Nixon’s apartment eager to talk with him and Melissa about their CCTV footage of a potential crime, looking into claims the Rolls Royce driver and his two female friends discarded a pooch whilst they shopped in nearby Coles.“I was hosting a business function in the city when Melissa called in a panic stating there are police at the front door and you must come home quick,” Nixon told Sheahan Ink. “I jumped on the first tram home wondering what the hell was the matter. “I arrived home soon thereafter asking what had happened.“Melissa and I checked with the Bakehouse owner who proceeded to inform us, police were attempting to locate the Rolls Royce driver and his two female friends. Nixon said the car window was smashed to free the dog but the driver was nowhere to be seen. The player agent pioneer said with a smile the crisis was averted and he rushed home for nothing. KOKKINAKIS NEW WEDDING KIT TREND Aussie tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis is becoming quite the trend setter as he rocked a new ensemble to Daria Gavrilova and Luke Saville’s wedding two weeks ago. The Greek adonis, who is great with a racquet, rocked shorts, runners and a sports jacket to the nuptials, which is said to have turned heads. According to Wikipedia, the 175th player ranked player was listed as one of the best dressed at the Albert Park venue, Greenfields. But the standout was definitely the bride. Her arrival on the special day was an eye opener, alighting from a VW Kombi van with her beautiful bridesmaids. While the groom, resplendent in his black tux, walked the red carpet with their sausage dog, Tofu. SHEAHAN INK’s SECRET SHORTSTHE COST OF BEING A PARTY POOPER An AFL glamour couple with strong ties to the media were given a baptism of fire at a going away party last week. The good looking couple arrived with an interrogation coming soon there after as to how they met. There was some definite angst said one onlooker. SILVERWARE Silver’s value has risen recently with one AFL legend buying up close to $400,000 worth.The premiership champion thinks it’s a great buy and referenced a recent highway robbery where 960kg, valued at $1 million was swiped from a truck between Melbourne and Sydney.
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