AFTER conceding the controversial free kick that ended Port Adelaide's 2017 season, wingman Jared Polec deleted his Twitter and Instagram accounts and headed for the surf and sand of the Gold Coast.

It wasn't the social media trolls that were doing his head in – it was more he needed to completely zone out, reset, and put the pain of Luke Shuey's match-winning goal in the elimination final to bed.

"I haven't really dwelled on it too much," Polec told AFL.com.au, ahead of the Power's clash with West Coast at Optus Stadium on Saturday.

"I reflected on it a little bit, then I got out of South Australia and moved to the Gold Coast for a couple of weeks with my partner and just relaxed.

"I thought getting off Twitter and Instagram would be the best way to get away from everything at the time and just to really relax and not have contact with anyone but my partner on the Gold Coast."

ELIMINATED When Shuey shattered Port Adelaide hearts

Shuey's goal after the extra-time siren gave the Eagles a remarkable two-point victory.

With 23 seconds on the clock, the Eagles midfielder stepped to his left before being tackled by Polec, who appeared to make contact with Shuey's shoulder.

The umpiring department later conceded in a pre-season briefing with the Power they made the wrong call. 

Polec protested at the time, but almost eight months later, he has taken a more holistic approach to the decision.

WATCH: 'The season, down to this'

"It's touch and go for an umpire," he said.

"They're getting scrutinised just as hard as any player would.

"It is what it is, and you just move on." Polec has certainly done that.

The 25-year-old has been outstanding for the Power this season, averaging a career-high 27.7 disposals per game (up from 22.3 last year).

He's seventh in the League for metres gained, averaging 479m per game, and tied ninth for kicks, averaging 17.2.

The No.5 overall pick of the 2010 NAB AFL Draft is living up to his high standing after a tough start to his career.

Polec played only 16 games in three seasons with Brisbane before requesting a trade to the Power at the end of 2013.

He's overcome a foot fracture that threatened to end his career in 2015 to play 28 of the last 29 games, and is on track for a top-10 finish in the Power's best and fairest for the first time.

"I had a decent year last year with consistency, and now it's flowed through into this season," Polec said.

"I had a bit of a hiccup in the pre-season with a hamstring injury, but it's held me in good stead.

"I don't train the day before a game just with management for my foot and it's worked pretty well so far."

The Woodville-West Torrens product is off-contract at the end of the season, but he's expected to put pen to paper on a new deal with the Power.

MATCH PREVIEW Power prepare for Eagles rematch