Developing defender Brad Sheppard could be facing one of the game’s most potent key forwards this Sunday when West Coast meets Sydney at Domain Stadium.
6PR’s Paul Hasleby suggested on Wednesday that Sheppard has earned the opportunity to line up against three-time Coleman medallist Buddy Franklin during Sunday’s clash, and midfielder Matt Rosa agrees that his teammate has made remarkable progress this season.
“Sheppy’s been great,” Rosa said on Wednesday night.
“He’s worked really hard and the rewards are coming now. He’s stuck at it.
“He is playing tall, he’s playing some tough footy and hopefully he can keep that going.
“The good thing about our defence at the moment is that we’re able to cover for each other and blokes might be undersized at times, but we’ll fight as hard as we can and hopefully get the job done.”
The backline will face its biggest test of the season so far when it comes up against Sydney’s forwards, particularly with Jeremy McGovern sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Rosa said he was confident in West Coast’s range of options available to replace the key defender.
“You’ve got Tommy Barrass who’s playing some great footy in the WAFL,” Rosa said.
“He’s a real natural talent and I’m sure that the fans will be excited when they see him.
“We’ve got Fraser McInnes and Cal Sinclair as well who have both spent some time down back learning the system and learning their craft there.
“And then obviously Elliot Yeo has played as a tall back at times as well.
“Our team defence is really going well at the moment, so there’s been good pressure on the ball carrier. Hopefully we keep that up and make it easier for the defenders.”
