Retiring West Coast midfielder Matt Priddis has said he's relaxed and soaking up every precious moment heading into Saturday night's AFL elimination final against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
Priddis signed a one-year contract extension in June but announced his retirement less than two months later after a form slump.
The 32-year-old has played 238 games during his 12-year career, but in 10 attempts he's only been part of three finals wins.
Priddis is desperate to end his career on a high, and the 2014 Brownlow medallist is not putting any limits on what West Coast can achieve from eighth spot.
"For me, personally, knowing this is my last finals opportunity, I want to make the most of it, and I want to enjoy the boys' company," Priddis said.
"When you look back in your career, the best wins are always your finals victories.
"There's more on the line. You're against quality opposition. You want to be part of the big games.
"Everyone looks at what the Bulldogs achieved last year, and that's great for everyone, because it means anything is possible.
"We know our best football is good enough."
West Coast's midfield group has come under heavy fire this season for their inconsistent performances.
Priddis said some of that criticism has been deserved.
But he denied the issue was simply about the absence of star ruckman Nic Naitanui, who has fed West Coast's midfield with a silver spoon for years.
"There's so much more to it than that," Priddis said.
"That's just the easy throw-away line; Nic Nat will be back and we'll be right.
"There's been teams without dominant ruckmen who have gone on and won premierships.
"There's so much more to the game to just saying, 'Ruck taps are going to help us win'."
With Priddis and Sam Mitchell retiring at season's end, West Coast's midfield group will take on a new look next year.
Priddis said Liam Duggan and Dom Sheed were ready to step up into more senior roles next year, and he described Elliot Yeo as the Nat Fyfe of the Eagles.
THE FINALS STORY OF MATT PRIDDIS
2007 QF - Lost to Port Adelaide by 3 points
2007 SF - Lost to Collingwood by 19 points in extra time
2011 QF - Lost to Collingwood by 20 points
2011 SF - Beat Carlton by 3 points
2011 PF - Lost to Geelong by 48 points
2012 EF - Beat North Melbourne by 96 points
2012 SF - Lost to Collingwood by 13 points
2015 PF - Beat North Melbourne by 25 points
2015 GF - Lost to Hawthorn by 46 points
2016 EF - Lost to Bulldogs by 47 points
Share
