West Coast midfielder Luke Shuey didn’t sleep well after last year’s AFL qualifying final loss to Collingwood.
Shuey entered the game brimming with confidence following a breakout home-and-away campaign, but openly admits he got “found out” in the 20-point defeat to the Magpies.
The 22-year-old was run down three times from behind as he struggled to adapt to the increased intensity, and was also slightly down in output in subsequent finals against Carlton and Geelong.
But ahead of Sunday’s elimination final against North Melbourne at Patersons Stadium, Shuey feels both he and the rest of his fledgling teammates are far better prepared to handle the finals heat this time around.
“I certainly got found out a couple of times and I think as a young group we didn’t quite stand up as well as we could have,” Shuey reflected on last year’s finals campaign, in which West Coast reached the preliminary final.
“I think as a young group we really got shown up by opposition midfields.
“I didn’t sleep well that night (after the Magpies game).
“But that was 12 months ago now. I’ve been able to put it behind me.
“I think we’re certainly better prepared this time.”
Shuey said it was imperative for the club’s emerging young guns to stand tall in the heat of finals football, and not just rely on the veterans to get the job done.
“We know what we’re going to get from (Matt) Priddis and (Daniel) Kerr and (Dean) Cox,” Shuey said.
“Most of the time they’re going to have an impact. We’ve just got to provide that depth and have an impact ourselves.”
Shuey has taken his game to a higher level in 2012, with the 183cm ball-winner averaging 23 disposals a match to go with his 18 goals.
The No.18 pick from the 2008 national draft said he had modelled his game on match-winning midfielder Kerr.
“I love the way he takes on big games head first,” Shuey said.
“His ability to step up when the team needs him is something I’ve had a focus on this year.
“I’m looking forward to this week and hopefully I can do the same.”
Shuey nominated Daniel Wells and Brent Harvey as North Melbourne’s two most dangerous midfielders, but said the likes of Andrew Swallow and Ben Cunnington also represented a significant challenge.
And although Kangaroos forward Drew Petrie looms as a major threat for West Coast, Shuey said 20-year-old Eagle Jack Darling was a good chance to inflict similar damage up the other end.
“You think back to the Carlton game (in the semi-finals last year) when he kicked a couple of goals in the last quarter and helped us get over the line,” Shuey said.
“I’ve got no doubt he’ll do the same this week.”