Premiership hero Dom Sheed – the Eagle who kicked ‘the most impossible goal’ that delivered West Coast’s fourth flag – has today called time on his remarkable football journey.
Little more than a week after the retirement of Jeremy McGovern, who started the chain of possession that ended with Sheed’s ‘inch-perfect’ goal from the boundary in the 2018 Grand Final, the Eagles are farewelling another Club great.
Sheed retires as a Life Member after 165 matches, runner-up in the John Worsfold Medal in 2021 and as the Eagle who lived every footballer’s dream by kicking the match-winning goal in a Grand Final.
“It has been an absolute privilege to represent the West Coast Eagles, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity this great footy club gave a skinny kid from Kalgoorlie,” Sheed said.
“To play for the Club I grew up supporting has been a dream come true, but the relationships you build and memories you share from footy are what I will cherish most from my time in the game.
“There are so many people I would like to thank for helping me along the journey, first and foremost my amazing family.
“It hasn’t always been easy. There’s been plenty of ups and downs, and to finish up without being able to play alongside the boys this year due to injury has been tough.
“But my family have been there for me every step of the way, and I can’t thank my parents and my wife Brooke enough.
“There are too many other people to name – coaches, teammates and staff - who I will get around to thank in the coming days and weeks.
“But I want to take the opportunity to send a special shout out to the members and supporters.
“I honestly believe West Coast has the most passionate fans in the AFL and they have supported me every step of the way, so thank you for everything.”
A rake-thin midfielder who just knew how to find the footy, Sheed caught West Coast recruiters’ attention long before he won the Larke Medal in the 2013 under-18 national championships.
Drafted from Subiaco via Kalgoorlie’s Mines Rovers with pick 11 in 2013, he made his debut in round one the following season under new coach Adam Simpson.
By 2015 he was already an established member of the line-up, playing 23 games as the Eagles surged into an unlikely Grand Final appearance.
Not blessed with pace, Sheed nevertheless complemented West Coast’s engine room, with his raking left boot adding polish to grunt work from the likes of Nic Naitanui and Matt Priddis.
Injuries curtailed the loping left-footer in 2016 – limiting him to just six games – and ultimately restricted the latter seasons of his 12-year career, which didn’t come without its challenges.
Even as late as August in 2018, Sheed was playing WAFL for East Perth – his third stint in the State League that season – before grabbing his opportunity to return to the West Coast line-up on the cusp of finals.
Come September, Sheed found another level again.
He collected 27 touches and kicked a goal in the qualifying final nailbiter against Collingwood, before backing up with another 27 disposals in the thumping preliminary final triumph over Melbourne.
However, Sheed saved his best for last.
On the biggest stage, he stood up under the fiercest pressure, helping West Coast reel in the Magpies’ 29-point first-quarter lead in the Grand Final.
Unfazed by the moment, he went about his business collecting the second-most disposals (32), contested possessions (15), clearances (eight) and inside 50s (six) for the Eagles – second only to Norm Smith medallist Luke Shuey.
Then, with just over two minutes remaining, Sheed marked Liam Ryan’s pass deep in the right forward pocket, went back and etched his name into football folklore by nailing an iconic goal in Eagles history.
A laidback and unassuming character, the adulation from that moment never affected Sheed and the best individual years of his career were still to come.
In 2019, he averaged 26.5 disposals and kicked 16 goals, while in 2021 he led West Coast for disposals (579) and finished runner-up in the Club Champion behind Naitanui.
Unfortunately, injury setbacks have restricted Sheed to just 24 games since, including an ACL rupture in February this year which ended the 30-year-old’s campaign before a game was played.
“Dom will be forever remembered for that one great moment in the Grand Final, but to us internally he is much more than that,” General Manager Football Gavin Bell said.
“He was an old-school footballer - tough, competitive, driven to improve and he cared deeply about his teammates.
“Dom made the most of his assets as a player. He had an incredibly high footy IQ, the ability to read and understand the game, and a deadly left foot.
“Reflecting on Dom’s journey, it hasn’t been easy for him. He’s just stuck at it and played to his strengths. He’s made the most out of his career.
“As a Life Member and premiership player he can leave the game really proud of what he has achieved, and we wish him every success because he’s been a wonderful contributor to our Club.”
Sheed will remain around the Club this season helping to mentor the Eagles’ next generation and continuing his knee rehabilitation.
The West Coast Eagles will pay tribute to Sheed and McGovern at Optus Stadium before the end of the season.
Dom Sheed career highlights:
- Larke Medal as best player in the 2013 national under-18s championships
- Selected with pick No.11 in the 2013 national draft
- Debut in round one, 2014
- 2015 - Rising Star nominee, finished 3rd in overall voting
- 2015 - West Coast Rookie of the Year
- 2018 - Premiership player
- 2018 - Player of the Finals with Jack Redden
- 2021 - 2nd place in the John Worsfold Medal
- 2023, round 12 - Equal career-high 43 disposals and kicks a goal against Collingwood in 150th match
- 2023 - West Coast Eagles Life Member
- 165 career matches, 69 goals
- 12 Finals (7-5 win-loss record)
