This article first appeared in the May 2020 edition of EAGLE EYE.
Two key links in the chain of one of the most famous passages of play in West Coast Eagles football history have remained connected during the enforced lay-off created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The squad has buddied up during the government-enforced isolation period and 2018 premiership star Dom Sheed and ruckman Nathan Vardy have been working together to stay in shape.
Sheed’s name will be forever prefixed as ‘premiership hero’ for kicking that goal from deep on the half-forward flank that was ultimately the match-winner in the 2018 grand final triumph against Collingwood.
He calmly split the middle from an acute angle with an arrow-like left foot drop punt that never deviated off target.
Vardy was an important link in the passage that got the ball to the man who iced the game. After Jeremy McGovern had peeled off to intercept a probing kick forward by star Pies midfielder Adam Treloar, he directed the footy to Vardy.
The big man marked, sent it into the direction of Flyin’ Liam Ryan, who in turn hit up Sheed.
Vardy and Sheed live in close proximity, so they have been paired off as training partners to do strength, conditioning and skills work together at a local park.
For Sheed – and the rest of the AFL community – the interruption after just one completed round was a bit frustrating, but he accepts there are bigger issues at stake than playing footy.
“It is disappointing it gets put on hold, but at the same time it’s completely understandable,” he said.
“This is just so much bigger than football.
“I’ve been doing a lot of body work, mobility and running sessions. I’m paired up with Vards and while it’s hard training in pairs, that’s just the way it is. Trying to keep the motivation levels right and getting the most out of sessions is difficult, but we’re just making the most of it.”
Sheed was one of the prime movers in the Eagles’ victory over Melbourne in round one in front of an empty arena at Optus Stadium.
He had 22 disposals, six marks and three clearances and in conjunction with Andrew Gaff, Luke Shuey and Tim Kelly created a midfield dominance that was pivotal in the 27-point win.
That positive start to the season was achieved despite the knowledge that the season would go into an indefinite recess as the country – and the world –devised the best strategy to combat the deadly virus.
Players at all clubs have been in isolation, doing their best to remain in shape so that when the season is ready to resume they can build quickly on the fitness base required to resume at elite level.
The challenge for the game’s athletes has been to maintain those levels as much as they can while being unable to train at the club.
But Sheed believes players can be ready within two or three weeks of the AFL giving the green light to return to training and being reunited with his teammates.
“We’re doing as much ball work as we can (he and Vardy) so that when the AFL makes the call we could be ready in about three weeks,” he said.
“We are staying prepared. As players we are not treating this as a break or off-season. We are at a local park having a run around to be in the best shape we can.
“Obviously there are other priorities at the moment, but we’d like to get back playing as soon as we can after we are told we can start training again; a two- to three- week mini pre-season should have us ready.
“The players will just want to get out there.”
While the playing squad has been training in pairs, as per AFL requirements, the group has maintained contact through a WhatsApp group.
“We just need to figure out ways to stay connected,” Sheed said.
“We see each other every day when we’re at the club, which builds the connectivity and camaraderie.
Until the AFL gives the green light to resume, Sheed says he has been catching up a number of chores that had been ignored before enforced isolation.
He has been busy in the garden and completing a range of odd jobs at his home. But he is keen to resume the craft he knows best. He’s just sitting by the phone waiting for the call.
