In the 2009 AFL national draft the West Coast Eagles overlooked a rangy, skinny kid from Lake Grace at pick seven, in preference for East Fremantle product Brad Sheppard.

That waif-like player, named Nat Fyfe, was snaffled by the Dockers at pick 20, before the Eagles had a chance to grab the now newly-minted Brownlow Medallist at either pick 22 and 23.

The Eagles selected Gerrick Weedon at pick 22, who played just the one game for West Coast and Koby Stevens at 23, who played 11 games before moving to the Bulldogs.

The Fyfe comparison is slightly unfair - because the Dockers (pick No. 4 - Anthony Morabito) and 14 other clubs passed over him in the first round - but it is known that West Coast had been keeping tabs on the Claremont-aligned country kid.

And the fact is Eagles fans (and potentially recruiting staff), would have been banging their heads against the wall over the Sheppard selection and subsequent performances. Until this year, at least.

Come Saturday against Hawthorn at the MCG, Sheppard - rumoured to be seeking a trade a couple of years ago because of lack of game time - will be a vital cog in the West Coast's bid to win a fourth flag.

One person who won't be surprised is former Eagles defender Andrew Lockyer, who coached Sheppard in the 2008 and 2009 WA under 18 team and says was always a special talent.

"We played him as key defender in 2008 and in our last game against Vic Metro we played him on Jack Watts, who went number one in the national draft," Lockyer said said.

"Shep was only a 17-year-old at the time and he did a really good job on Watts.

"We had the luxury of playing him on a half-back flank in 2009 next to David Swallow, so we had a pretty good backline.

"He was undoubtedly talented and even though he was quiet he had a steely resolve."

Sheppard went to the Eagles as a prized recruit because of his ability to read the play and his precise disposal under pressure, but failed to set the football world on fire after playing 14 games in his debut season back in 2010.

He played just 18 games over the 2011 and 2012 seasons and didn't feature in any of the Eagles' final games during that period.

But this year the 24-year-old has become a critical component of West Coast's so-called Weagles web and in career-best form this season averaging more than 17 possessions a game.

His ability to shut down opponents and his dash out defence has seen him become a crucial weapon for the Eagles this season.

At 186 centimetres and only 80 kilograms Sheppard has also had to play on bigger forwards after the Eagles lost Eric MacKenzie and Mitch Brown to season-ending injuries.

Lockyer, who played 78 games for the Eagles said Sheppard seemed to be relishing playing under new coach Adam Simpson.

"I think he's found a bit of voice and confidence under Simpson," he said.

"Maybe before that he lacked a bit of confidence and wasn't sure if he was good enough to play at that level."

A younger Brad Sheppard (right) celebrates an Eagles win with long-gone former West Coast player Lewis Stevenson. Photo: Getty Images

Lockyer said Sheppard almost didn't make it into AFL ranks, because he was grappling whether or not to pursue his other passion cricket.

Sheppard was a handy into-the-wind swing bowler who played in the state under-17 cricket team.

He is a cousin of current Australian Test players Shaun and Mitchell Marsh and nephew of former Australian vice-captain Geoff Marsh.

Sheppard's dad Keith was also a handy first-grade cricketer, who once took 9/32 playing for Perth against Mt Lawley.

"[Brad] was a talented dual sportsman, so I had a few conversations at different times with him about staying in football," Lockyer said.

"I'm glad he did. But I didn't have the same luck with Mitch Marsh.

"He played in a scratch match against the Subi reserves and kicked  a lazy 10. But I think he made the right choice picking cricket."

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