AFL legend Kevin Sheedy in Queensland hospital with mystery illness

Australian football Hall of Fame Legend Kevin Sheedy is recovering in a Queensland hospital after suffering a mystery illness.

The 76-year-old was on holiday in the Sunshine Coast when he became sick and required medical attention.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: AFL legend Kevin Sheedy in hospital with mystery illness.

7NEWS understands the former coach has been in hospital for a number of days now.

In a statement, Sheedy’s wife, Geraldine, and the Sheedy family said: “Kevin was visiting family on the Sunshine Coast when he got a fever and sought medical treatment.

“He has since been admitted into hospital to undertake tests to determine the cause of the problem.

“Like all sports people, he’d prefer not to be spending time on the bench and he’s looking forward to getting back to Melbourne and resuming his commitments as soon as possible.”

The news comes less than two weeks after news emerged that the four-time Essendon premiership coach would step down as a director on the Bombers’ board.

Sheedy joined the Essendon board in October, 2020, with the express role of helping the club rebuild its football program.

During his time as director, Sheedy has been involved in helping implement a crucial external review as well as appointing a new senior coach, chief executive and general manager of football.

“The club is in excellent hands with president David Barham and the current board,” Sheedy said in a statement.

“Vice president Andrew Welsh is doing an excellent job, looking after the football aspects from a board point of view.

“I was happy to step up and help when asked by Paul Brasher in 2020, and I have always done everything that I can to help this club. This will never stop.

“I am very confident under the leadership of CEO Craig Vozzo and coach Brad Scott that we are on the road to success.

“We have returned to being a football club where our ultimate focus is on winning football games and making our members and supporters proud with everything we do.

“Essendon means so much to so many people and with the current stability and renewed focus at the football club, we have the right foundations for sustainable success.”

Sheedy was coach of Essendon for 27 years from 1981-2007, guiding the club to four flags during that period.

He was also the inaugural coach and a former director of Greater Western Sydney.

Sheedy’s other contributions to the AFL industry include creating the iconic Anzac Day and Dreamtime matches, enhancing the AFL Coaches’ Association and establishing the AFL Sports Ready Program.

- With Emma O’Sullivan and AAP