Brad Sheppard understands the bigger picture ahead of West Coast’s temporary relocation to the Gold Coast, but that doesn't mean his focus isn't on the most important thing - winning.
The Eagles are bound for a hub in June alongside Adelaide, Fremantle and Port Adelaide to help get the 2020 campaign back underway amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Players and officials have already been placed under heavy restrictions in order to get through the return to training and restart the season safely, and Sheppard accepted the current situation was for the greater good.
“I’m happy, along with all of our members and all of the public, that there’s a return date to play AFL footy,” the reliable defender told TAB Radio.
“I think we’re on the Gold Coast initially for a month and hopefully we don’t go over that.
“It is what it is. For us to play AFL footy that’s what we’re going to have to do and suck it up and really looking forward to going over there and hopefully winning games of footy – that’s what we’re here for.
“If you look at it any other way it will bog you down. It’s out of our control now.”
The Eagles were upbeat upon returning to Mineral Resources Park to resume training in small groups at the club ahead of round two – which will be fixtured close to three months after their round one victory over Melbourne.
Sheppard slotted into skills work on Monday with the backline teammates including Jeremy McGovern, Shannon Hurn and Will Schofield, with the rock-solid defensive unit aiming to rekindle their chemistry as quickly as possible.
“Your first day back you’re trying to impress your mates, your intensity lifts again and it’s definitely tougher than training with another partner,” Sheppard said.
“There’s a spike in intensity (with) the training, even though it’s (about) skill level and no doubt the next week or so it will keep climbing because it’s a short turnaround before we start playing again.
“We’ve got to make sure we’re ticking all the boxes recovery-wise and off-field to give myself the best opportunity to get my body into top shape so I can have a good crack at the season.”
