West Coast defender Brad Sheppard says the Eagles are preparing for all-out battle against Collingwood on Saturday night.

Speaking to TAB Radio recently, the 2020 All Australian backman said the club’s round eight mauling of the Magpies would have little bearing on their upcoming elimination final match-up.

On that day West Coast played almost perfect football to kick 18.3 from just 35 inside 50s and cruise to a 66-point win over their 2018 grand final rivals.

Sheppard said the Eagles were readying themselves to face a different Collingwood outfit this weekend.

“It would be nice if we could play that way come Saturday night, but what happened in the regular season, that was probably the most complete performance I dare say for us in the year,” Sheppard said.

“Our conversion was of a high level; I don’t think we kicked too many behinds. It was probably a good look at us at our best, but in saying that Collingwood were a few soldiers down and were without a few important players that day. I probably wouldn’t read into that too much.

“The way they’ve played since that has changed and the way we’ve played as a team has probably changed as well. Finals are a different ball game; it’s higher intensity, more contests, it’s harder, there’s more at stake and the pressure is up.

“We’re bracing for a really tough challenge. Collingwood are a really proud footy club and we’ve had some great finals in the past.”

One Magpie who was missing from that round eight encounter was Jordan De Goey, who has kicked 14 goals in his previous five outings against the Eagles.

Sheppard said he would have to be on his A-game – and implement a unique defensive game plan – to contain the dangerous goalsneak.

“He’s very explosive. On the leads he’s very quick, so if you don’t anticipate where the footy is coming and he gets that split second on you, you’re probably no chance,” Sheppard said.

“You can’t just be watching him, you’ve got to be watching the bloke with the footy is doing. For a bloke that is 190cm who plays tall and small as well, he’s a pretty dangerous player.

“We all know his X factor as well. If he kicks a couple early then he’s up and about.

“I’m going to have my hands full if I get the opportunity to play on him.”

While the media will likely spend hours analysing Sheppard’s potential match-up with De Goey leading into the do or die final, the man himself will be taking notes on all of Collingwood’s forwards to make sure he’s ready for every possible battle.

“They’ve got quite a dangerous forward line,” Sheppard noted.

“Jamie Elliot is a really dangerous player on his day; he can tear you apart. You’ve got (Jaidyn) Stephenson; we all know the pace he’s got. And then they’ve got two big boys (Mason Cox and Brodie Mihocek) down there who have hit a bit of form as well.

“They’ve got a pretty dynamic forward line and it’s going to be a good challenge, because our backs have been in good form the last month of footy.

“It’s going to be a great test for us.”