West Coast defender Brad Sheppard admits he was too impatient earlier in his career, and he's credited coach Adam Simpson for helping him become the player he is now.
Sheppard will earn life membership at West Coast when he notches his 150-game AFL milestone in Sunday's western derby against Fremantle.
The Eagles held high hopes for Sheppard when they selected him with pick No.7 in the 2009 national draft.
After a promising debut season in 2010, Sheppard's progress stalled as he was trialled in a number of roles.
When Simpson took over as coach at the end of 2013 he knew exactly what role he wanted Sheppard to play - as a small defender.
Sheppard has grown in leaps and bounds since then, shutting down stars such as Robbie Gray and Michael Walters in becoming one of West Coast's most reliable players.
"It hasn't been an easy journey for myself. I was fighting a bit of adversity early on in my career with form and injury," Sheppard said.
"I was quite impatient for the first part of my career.
"With the backline we had at that stage, we had a real experienced group, and I was so eager to play at the top level that I put my hand up to go up forward.
"It probably didn't suit me because I feel like I play my best footy behind the footy.
"Then Simmo came in and said, 'I want you to play in the backline, I think that's where your strengths are and it's where you're going to be the greatest asset to this side'.
"So he plonked me on the half-back line ... and I haven't really looked back."
Sheppard has left the door open to playing on the wing or through the midfield in the future.
But for now the 27-year-old is loving life in defence.
Like his cousin Mitch Marsh, Sheppard had the choice of playing cricket or football as he approached the end of high school.
It was 2000 Brownlow medal winner Shane Woewodin who convinced Sheppard to choose football.
Marsh ended up choosing cricket, and has gone on to become a Test star.
Sheppard has no regrets.
"At the age of 16, Shane Woewodin invited me down to do a pre-season with the league team," Sheppard said.
"He said, 'If you have a good summer, I'll pick you for round one for East Fremantle'.
"So that really gave me drive and really made my decision a lot clearer."
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