West Coast coach Adam Simpson says Brad Sheppard should look back on his career with pride after the star defender bid an emotional farewell at Mineral Resources Park.

Addressing a packed room full of his teammates and staff, Sheppard announced his retirement following medical advice on Tuesday.

“We just heard him speak to the staff and players and really emotional, to be honest,” Simpson told reporters shortly after Sheppard’s retirement.

“He’s had a wonderful career that’s been cut short, unfortunately.

“He’s dealt with a lot of adversity over his career and always handled himself really well and today’s no different – the way he spoke was first-class.

“He’s going to be missed.”

An underrated but critical part of West Coast’s backline since Simpson’s arrival at the club before the 2014 campaign, Sheppard finishes his career as a 216-game player in blue and gold.

His ability to play tall or small provided the Eagles’ defence with important versatility, and his unflinching courage made him a highly-respected player amongst his teammates.

In 2020, Sheppard finally received due All-Australian recognition, but he was always highly-regarded internally as the Player of the Finals in 2015 and Chris Mainwaring medallist as best clubman.

Sheppard missed the 2018 Grand Final victory due to a severe hamstring injury suffered in the qualifying final against Collingwood, but was an integral part of the Eagles’ stunning success.

Simpson said there was no doubt the 30-year-old has hung up the boots while still amongst the competition’s elite defenders.

“Absolutely. There were plenty of games left in Brad. He had a little bit of an indifferent year with his body this year and obviously a few concussions, but he still had plenty of good footy left,” Simpson said.

“We spoke briefly about his career today and in ’15 we had a very short defence because of some injuries – a couple of big fellas had knee reconstructions – and he filled the void.

“He was playing on talls, playing on resting ruckmen, supporting others in the air and then fast-forward two or three years and he’s playing on the best small forwards in the competition and doing a very good job.

“So versatility comes to mind and the ability to adapt as a player, that’s what gives you longevity.

“It wouldn’t have surprised me if he elevated to a bit more of a rebounding defender, because he has that capability as well.

“He was just too bloody good at stopping small forwards.

“That’s the sad part about it, that he didn’t get to fulfil his full career, but he did achieve a lot.

“Over 200 games and the way we look at him he’s a premiership player.

“He was so much part of that 2018 season, along with a few other players, obviously Nic (Naitanui), ‘Gaffy’ (Andrew Gaff) and even Eric Mackenzie, but ‘Shepp’ in particular all the way to that first final before he was struck down.

“The adversity piece comes to mind.

“This is a moment in time for him that’s bittersweet.

“He should look back with pride on what he’s achieved, and I’m sure he’ll have some regrets as well in terms of the way it’s ended.

“I’m sure if he was sitting here he’d say ‘it is what it is’ and he’s just got to deal with what’s in front of him.”