Old rivals set to face off again

New Carlton coach Mick Malthouse comes up against rival GWS mastermind Kevin Sheedy today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MICK Malthouse will take his first steps back in to coaching at Blacktown today.

And when Carlton takes on Greater Western Sydney at 4.40pm the legendary coach will be confronted by the reality that as much as things change, they also stay the same.

Since leaving Collingwood after the 2011 Grand Final loss to Geelong, the Giants have come in to the fold as the AFL's 18th club.

That's the new bit.

But as unfamiliar as Malthouse might feel coaching against a team based in the western suburbs of Sydney, Malthouse can take a sense of comfort from the fact he will once again be pitted against his old sparring partner Kevin Sheedy.

The old Richmond teammates have been the greatest of coaching rivals across the decades.

First there was Essendon's "scarf-waving'' brinksmanship with Malthouse's West Coast during the 1990s and then of course years of Anzac Day battles when Malthouse made the switch to Collingwood.

Whether they thought they would ever get the chance to compete again when Sheedy left Essendon in 2007 -- let alone when Malthouse appeared done 18 months ago -- is a fact unknown.

But the duo wasted no time in getting back in to old habits this week, trading barbs ahead of the NAB Cup opener at the Blacktown International Sports Park.

Responding to suggestions that Carlton is primed for an assault on this year's premiership, Sheedy said: "I don't think they've got much chance at all.

"Not with Grumpy in charge,'' he said, referring to Malthouse. "We've got a better chance than Carlton, don't worry about that.''

The insult hit its target -- even if Malthouse had to feign annoyance.

"He calls me grumpy? That was actually my nickname for him,'' Malthouse said.

"Is he coaching? Or is Leon Cameron coaching? You should ask him.''

But there was no faking the smile that sprung to his face when asked how he was feeling about his return to coaching after a year out of the game.

"It is exciting,'' he said. "I'm rapt to be back.''

WESTERN Australian Josh Bootsma yesterday withdrew from the Blues squad to take on Greater Western Sydney and Sydney because of illness. He was replaced by rookie Frazer Dale.

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