Rejigged Eagles defence finding its feet
Defender Brad Sheppard says West Coast’s back line is coming together well after being confronted with the monumental task of replacing key players lost to injuries and retirement.
The Eagles defence gave Brisbane little room to move in yesterday’s 53-point thumping at the Gabba, conceding just five goals before three-quarter time as they took a stranglehold on the game.
The Lions added four goals in the final term when the result was beyond doubt.
The retirement of captain Darren Glass last year was always going to make things difficult for the Eagles, then Beau Waters was forced to end his career on the eve of this season because of a chronic shoulder issue.
The season-ending knee injuries to John Worsfold medallist Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown further rocked the club.
Their absence has forced part-time defender Elliot Yeo and midfielder Matt Rosa into the back half on a more permanent basis, while proven on-baller Sharrod Wellingham spent time in defence yesterday.
But Sheppard said he had confidence the makeshift back six would stand up to the test this season.
“We know we’ve got a couple of big outs, but I think as a back six we’re gelling pretty well,” Sheppard said.
“It’s all going to be dictated by the pressure up the ground, but I think we’re starting to gel well as a unit.
“I don’t think we’ve been disgraced at all in the games this year. We understand we’re going to make mistakes at times because we’re a pretty young group, but we’ve just got to keep playing with confidence and keep helping each other out.
“Communication down there is a massive thing.”
Youngster Jeremy McGovern has been thrust into playing a key defensive role in an undersized back line in the absence of Mackenzie and Brown.
But he has handled the task well in only his second season at the elite level.
McGovern has quickly developed into a star attraction with his strong contested marking and ability to take a high grab.
“Gov’s the key man down there now and is so important to the side,” Sheppard said.
“He’s such an attacking tall and goes for his marks.
“He’s in great form and we just need to make sure he does that for the rest of the year.”
Sheppard was taken high in the draft, at pick seven in 2009, and made his debut in 2010. But he has had to bide his time for an extended stint in the team, playing no more than 14 matches in a season.
However, the 23-year-old has featured in each of the Eagles’ four matches this season, averaging 17 possessions, and now appears to be settling into his place across half-back.
“Consistency week in, week out is probably the biggest thing for me and settling down in the back half,” Sheppard said.
“I’ve got to make sure I get the job done defensively and then try to create a bit of run out of the back line.
“But the biggest thing for me is that consistency.”
