West Coast Eagles defender Brad Sheppard says he cannot wait to lock horns with Collingwood livewire Jordan De Goey during next Saturday night’s elimination final at Optus Stadium.

The 28-year-old, who was yesterday confirmed as a 2020 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian squad member, said he relished playing against the best forwards in big games and he considered the electric Magpie to be among the most dangerous goalsneaks in the competition.

There could be a little extra spice in the match-up next weekend given that it was De Goey who contributed to the hamstring injury that saw the dependable Eagles defender miss the club’s 2018 triumph.

Sheppard was rebounding the ball from defensive 50 in the first quarter of the teams’ qualifying final clash at Perth’s premier sporting cauldron he was pushed by De Goey  as he soccered the ball into space.

The East Fremantle product immediately grabbed for his left hamstring, at first thinking it might be a cramp, but he quickly realised it was a serious injury and required assistance from trainers to make his way from the field.

Subsequent scans confirmed that he had in fact incurred a hamstring tendon injury that would make him unavailable for West Coast’s September charge.

That didn’t appear to be on Sheppard’s mind when he spoke to SEN’s Dwayne’s World recently, but the rebounding backman said he was looking forward to testing himself against De Goey and his nippy sidekick, Jaidyn Stephenson.

“They are dangerous players. You can’t give them a lot of space, because if you do they’ll make you pay,” Sheppard said.

“No doubt I’ll be matching up on De Goey and a few others down there. That’s why I love playing the game, to challenge myself against the best in the comp. And I think when he’s firing he is that.”

Fortunately, Sheppard is coming into the final with form on his side.

He is ranked seventh in the league for average marks per game (6.3) this year and is one of only six Eagles who has played every qualifying game in 2020.

In spite of earning in a spot in last year’s All Australian squad and placing fifth in the 2019 John Worsfold Medal, Sheppard felt he had produced the most steady footy of his career in 2020.

“I think I’ve had a pretty consistent year,” he said.

“I think my consistency and form throughout the year has probably been of a high level. I think in the last couple of years it’s been building and I think this has been my most consistent year.

As good as he’s been, Sheppard knows it will take a team effort to topple the Pies and advance to a semi-final versus the loser of next Thursday night’s Port Adelaide versus Geelong qualifying final.

He was confident the back six could stand up on the big stage against their familiar finals foe.

“Between Shannon Hurn, Jeremy McGovern and myself we’ve probably played over 100 games together, and then you throw in Tom Barrass, who has probably played close to 100 games as well. There is a fair bit of experience down back,” Sheppard said.

"We’ve also got a couple young kids that have come in and really provided some energy for the old stayers down there

“With the synergy down back you’ve got to rely on your teammates; you’ve got to have trust down there. We think we play a system that, hopefully, stands up in big games.

“We know what Collingwood are like as a side. They’re a proud footy club, they’re a strong footy club and we’ve had some great battles in the past.

“It’s going to be a great game and a great spectacle for everyone.”