Few players were more excited to play in last night's elimination final than West Coast Eagles ruckman Tom Hickey

After registering 97 games with three clubs, the big ruckman finally got to play in his first final.

The 28-year-old rose to the occasion, recording 13 hit-outs while combining with Nic Naitanui to give the home side a crucial 38-18 hitout advantage.

Hickey said he was extremely excited to play in his first final.

“It was my first one, so to win one was even better in front of a home crowd; they were enormous.

“It’s been a big couple of weeks and I’m just riding the high.”

Hickey reckons the Eagles got caught playing Essendon’s way early in the contest on before they clicked into gear and got the game on their terms. 

“The way they play is just really fast down through the corridor and we knew we had to try and slow them down,” he said.

“We probably got caught into playing their game but it was an exciting game and so fun to be a part of.

Hickey said he had a blast playing his first final alongside Naitanui.

“It’s pretty nice when Nic’s in there shouldering the load of the ruck and I can come in and help him out,” he said.

“I got to do it a couple of times earlier in the year and it’s awesome to watch.

“Often I’m on the bench when he’s in the ruck and I just get to be a spectator and cheer every time he does something awesome.

"He was very impressive.”