Footy Star Opens Up on Guilt Over Iconic Career Moment in Teary Teammate Farewell
West Coast Eagles Legend Dom Sheed Retires After Knee Injury
By Roger Vaughn, Australian Associated Press
Published: 08:37 BST, 1 July 2025 | Updated: 08:37 BST, 1 July 2025
Dom Sheed bows out of the AFL after a decorated 165-game career.
West Coast premiership hero Dom Sheed has announced his retirement, ending an 11-year AFL career cut short by a devastating knee injury during pre-season training in February. The 30-year-old midfielder, famed for his 2018 grand final heroics, revealed his decision to teammates on Tuesday, expressing both gratitude and lingering guilt over his iconic moment in club history.
A Career Defined by Resilience
Sheed, a Kalgoorlie native, debuted in 2014 and became a linchpin in West Coast’s midfield. However, persistent injuries plagued his later years, limiting him to just 24 games between 2022-2024. His final setback—a torn ACL—proved insurmountable.
“Representing the Eagles has been an absolute privilege,” Sheed said. “I’ll forever cherish the memories and relationships formed here.”
The Goal That Etched His Name in History
Sheed’s career pinnacle came in the 2018 grand final against Collingwood. With less than two minutes remaining, he marked the ball near the boundary line, 40 meters from goal, amid deafening jeers from Magpies fans. His precise kick sealed a five-point victory—West Coast’s fourth premiership.
Sheed’s clutch goal in the 2018 decider remains etched in AFL folklore.
Yet, the moment brought mixed emotions. “There’s guilt that people focus on my kick, not the team effort,” Sheed admitted. “It was a collective triumph—I just happened to be in the right place.”
Injury Battles and Family Support
Sheed’s recent years were marred by setbacks, including foot and groin issues. His 2025 season ended before it began with a knee injury during a routine drill. “Not playing this year has been tough, but my family’s support kept me grounded,” he said, thanking wife Brooke and loved ones.
Sheed credited his wife Brooke for unwavering support during his recovery.
Legacy of a Club Icon
Sheed’s departure follows teammate Jeremy McGovern’s concussion-related retirement last week. McGovern’s intercept mark in the 2018 finale initiated the chain leading to Sheed’s legendary goal—a synergy emblematic of West Coast’s golden era.
West Coast GM Gavin Bell praised Sheed’s “professionalism and resilience,” noting his impact both on-field and in mentoring younger players.
Looking Ahead
While Sheed’s playing days are over, his connection to the Eagles endures. “This club gave a skinny kid from Kalgoorlie a chance,” he reflected. “The ups, downs, and that incredible grand final—I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Injuries restricted Sheed to 24 games in his final three seasons.
As fans revisit Sheed’s boundary-line magic, the man himself remains humble: “I’m just grateful I didn’t kick it out on the full.”
ENDS
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