It was Tuesday afternoon and an open training session was held at Mineral Resources Park.

A few hundred fans made the sojourn and lined the fence. At the end of a light run captain Luke Shuey made his way to the boundary.

“Thanks for everything. I’m going to cry on Saturday,” said one young lady as Shuey posed for a selfie.

Everyone lined around the perimeter of the main oval could probably relate to the statement. Shuey has been a fan favourite for 15 years and not just because of his on-field exploits.

Since the day he arrived here, via pick 18 in the 2008 draft, he has always connected with the fans; had empathy for those who have not been as fortunate as himself and has been giving of his time for charitable causes.

A recent example was when Nate, a little Telethon star, who travelled with the Eagles team to Sydney earlier this season. He was side by side with the skipper at the captain’s run at the SCG on the day preceding the encounter, the six-year-old having a kick with Shuey on the hallowed turf.

It was the same on game day. Shuey made sure Nate, who has a rare pulmonary disorder, had the experience of his life. Engaging with the youngster was a pure connection and the little fella will never forget it.

At the airport lounge before heading home following a gut-wrenching defeat, Shuey pulled his boots out of his bag, signed them and handed them over to his newest bestie.

Shuey didn’t do that for any reason other than having a genuine affinity for a little boy who will not be able to play the game that he loves. It was heart-warming to witness the interaction and the sheer joy on Nate’s face.

There are, of course, other players who shine in the fan engagement space. Who know what a few minutes of their time can mean to someone who may never scale the heights of elite football.

For father-of-two Shuey it comes as naturally as bursting through the middle of the MCG, weaving onto his left or right foot, and delivering a perfectly executed pass to a leading forward.

Until this season that leading forward – more often than not – was Josh Kennedy. Ask JK to nominate the player he most liked delivering the footy to him and without hesitation he would say Shuey.

Shuey, alongside ruckman Nic Naitanui and premiership captain Shannon Hurn, will farewell senior football on Saturday night. In what will be his 248^th game, he will make way for the next generation.

While he will make his exit he will never be forgotten for his remarkable impact at the Eagles. Like so many great players he craved the ball in his hands for the big moments. It seemed it was his purpose.

He put the exclamation mark on a famous elimination final victory over Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval in 2017. After the two teams were deadlocked at full-time, the Eagles fought back from 13 points down in extra time before Shuey was awarded a free kick for a high tackle in the dying seconds.

He took his kick from about 45 metres out with 20 seconds left on the clock and split middle as the Eagles won by two points.

They were ultimately eliminated by GWS the following week, but Shuey had another, bigger game in his repertoire.

Twelve months later at the MCG, the West Coast Eagles recovered from a five-goal deficit against Collingwood. Shuey produced one of the great Grand Final performances to lead the Eagles to their fourth premiership. In doing so he won the Norm Smith Medal.

To go with 34 disposals Shuey accumulated eight tackles, nine clearances, 19 contested possessions, eight inside 50s, kicked a goal and also had two goal assists.

Had Dom Sheed not kicked that goal-winning dart from deep on the boundary line with a few minutes remaining, Shuey’s performance would have been revered more broadly.

Of course Boots would have it no other way. He has always operated to a team-first mantra.