West Coast midfielder Dom Sheed still hasn't watched a replay of the club's 2015 grand final flop - and that probably won't change unless they beat Collingwood this Saturday.
Sheed was just 20 years old when the Eagles came up against a battle-hardened Hawthorn unit in the 2015 decider.
A host of West Coast stars suffered a major bout of stage fright that day as they slumped to a 46-point loss.
Sheed watched bits and pieces of the grand final vision as part of the club's post-match review, but he has refused to watch it in its entirety.
His position might change if the Eagles manage to beat Collingwood in Saturday's grand final at the MCG.
"Nobody wants to watch a losing grand final, so I probably won't watch it unless we win one," Sheed said.
"You grow up as a kid playing footy, and all you want to do is win a grand final.
"I was a one-eyed West Coast supporter growing up. I watched them win the 2006 premiership, and I really wanted one for myself.
"I think we're a lot more mature this time around (compared to 2015), and we're going to be better prepared for it."
Sheed had just 11 disposals in the 2015 grand final, but he is primed for a big role in Saturday's clash with Collingwood.
The 23-year-old has been a key player in the side since replacing suspended star Andrew Gaff in round 21, averaging 27.4 disposals a game since his recall.
Before then, Sheed was in and out of the side as he struggled to nail down a permanent role.
"It's been tough mentally, being in my fifth year and being dropped back to the WAFL," Sheed said.
"But I think I've come out the other end a better player and I'm just happy to be back in the team at the pointy end of the year."
Sheed's heart goes out to Gaff, whose punch to the jaw of Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw in round 20 has cost him a berth in the grand final.
"Deep down he's going to be disappointed no doubt," Sheed said.
"But he's in really good spirits around the club. He's smiling, he's helping out, and he wants to see us get the win on the weekend.
"We've had a lot of conversations about playing the wing role and how to go about it. He's been really good for the midfield group to prepare us for each game."
Share
