AFL's GF hero Dom Sheed no one-hit wonder

West Coast midfielder Dom Sheed has been in hot form during the pre-season, with coach Adam Simpson praising his humble attitude.

Dom Sheed.

AFL grand final hero Dom Sheed wants to lock down a permanent spot in the West Eagles side. (AAP)

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.

"He's getting rewarded with the ball, but i'm not expecting 40 touches every week."

Gaff will miss the opening two rounds of the season while he serves the remainder of his suspension, while Nic Naitanui isn't due back until round eight at the earliest.

Forwards Josh Kennedy (foot) and Jamie Cripps (toe) are in a race against time to prove their fitness for the round-one clash with Brisbane.

West Coast will hold an intra-club hitout on Friday in a bid to give some underdone players more match practice.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP

Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world