Sheed no one-hit wonder
WEST Coast’s grand final hero Dom Sheed doesn’t want to be a one-hit wonder, and his hot pre-season form proves it.
Sheed etched his name into AFL folklore by kicking the winning goal from the pocket in last year’s five-point grand final win over Collingwood.
The 23-year-old has been given hero receptions ever since then – but he knows he was lucky to be in the side in the first place.
Sheed had been in and out of the Eagles side all season before Andrew Gaff’s eight-week ban granted him an extended stay.
The left-footer is now determined to cement a permanent spot in the side. And if pre-season form is anything to go by, Sheed is ready to join the AFL’s elite midfielders this season.
Sheed tallied 39 disposals, seven clearances, and a goal in the 34-point pre-season win over Geelong.
He followed that up with 40 disposals, eight clearances, and a goal in the 51-point trouncing of Fremantle on Sunday.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson has been pleased with how Sheed has handled himself since his grand final heroics.
“He’s worked really hard in the off-season. He’s been really humble since the grand final,” Simpson said.
“For a guy to go through what he’s gone through – no one can really put themselves in that position – how he’s handled it has been really pleasing for us.
“He’s working really hard defensively, and he’s getting rewarded with the ball.
“But what we’re seeing off the ball is something that’s probably been lacking in his game in previous pre-seasons, but he’s committed to that.”