The West Coast Eagles midfield found an extra gear when the game looked as if it might slip from their grasp.

After Carlton skipped away to a 19-point lead in the third quarter, as a collective, the midfield found a way to get things rolling the Eagles way.

With ruckman Nic Naitanui central to the rally, classy on-ballers Tim Kelly, Elliot Yeo, Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff and Dom Sheed all ramped it.

But Sheed was the man who elevated highest to claim best-on-ground honours, with 26 possessions, 12 of them contested, nine clearances, four inside 50 metre entries and an impressive 524 metres gained with the ball in his hand.

If there was any doubt as to who should get the nod as best afield, Sheed put it to rest by kicking two important goals in the last quarter – one a dart from the southern pocket from about 40 metres and the second a 50 metre bomb from centre-half-forward.