Chris Judd for Josh Kennedy. Whenever the conversation swings to the biggest trade in West Coast Eagles history that 2007 deal springs to forefront of the discussion.

But there was another deal six years later that was pivotal in the 2018 premiership that has slipped under the radar for a decade.

Just as the other players in the Judd-Kennedy exchange, 215-game premiership wingman Chris Masten and key forward Tony Notte, who carved out an amazing WAFL career, are scarcely mentioned, neither is the bold initiative taken by Eagles recruiting staff in 2013 draft.

The Eagles had pick six in the 2013 ballot and had their eye on a languid left-footer from Kalgoorlie as their primary target.

They also had put some work into bringing young East Fremantle half-back Elliot Yeo back to WA from Brisbane after two years with the Lions. They took a punt, swapped their first selection to Collingwood, moved down the order to No.11 and also landed a second round selection.

It proved a canny decision. Not only did they land Yeo with #28, who has since become a midfield star and two-time club champion, but they also snared Dom Sheed with their first round selection in the draft.

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Sheed, of course, is now the first name mentioned when recanting the 2018 Grand Final, finishing off an epic passage of play to slot through the winning goal from the boundary line. Ironically against the Pies.

Today that inexorable link between Sheed and Collingwood will be further galvanised when Sheed plays his 150th game against them at Optus Stadium to qualify for life membership at the Eagles. Yeo earned the distinction two years ago.

That pick swap in 2013 has proven a masterstroke.

Like most young players graduating from developmental football into the elite competition Sheed had early challenges. The loping Goldfields left-footer took time to cement his place in the senior team and even had his battles in the 2018 season.

When clubs make early selections the proof most often is not revealed until several years later. Sheed, who won the Larke Medal as the best player in the 2013 National 18s Championships, was not the dynamic midfield type who was eye-catching with his blinding speed away from a contest.

He was an accumulator, tough in the clinches and could find the ball; a footballer rather than an athlete. 

In 2018 he returned to the line-up to replace the suspended Andrew Gaff for the round 21 game against Port Adelaide and there he remained for the rest of the season.

Being a pure footballer helped him stand up in the biggest moment of his career. Kids dream of being in that situation, ball in hand on Grand Final day, a couple of points down and having a shot to win the game.

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In those dreams they never factor in a cacophony of advice flowing over the fence from the most passionate of Collingwood fans. Some hurling abuse, others banging on the fence – trying anything to put you off.

They were just metres away from Sheed as he took aim from deep on the boundary line but the laconic Sheed was unruffled. As we all know Sheed controlled a racing heart to remain calm and composed as he slotted through a goal that will is now football folklore.

The laid-back kid from Kal had lived his dream.

Anything else is a bonus and a life member badge to sit alongside his premiership medallion would satisfy the ambition of most players.

But Sheed is far from done and is determined to play his part in digging the club out of a current trough. The 28-year-old still has plenty of football ahead of him and he will offer important guidance to the next generation.