LUKE Shuey's composure to keep West Coast's season alive underlined why he deserves to skipper the Eagles when Shannon Hurn steps aside, joint vice-captain Josh Kennedy says.
Shuey etched a chapter in finals folkore after snatching a famous two-point elimination final victory over Port Adelaide in extra time on Saturday night.
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The star midfielder became just the fifth player in VFL/AFL history to deliver a finals victory after-the-siren with his set shot goal.
Speaking on Monday, sharpshooter Kennedy lauded Shuey's coolness under extreme pressure.
"He was pretty cool, calm and collected on the weekend," Kennedy said.
"It was really great to see him stand up like that. He's been a terrific footballer for this club, he's a terrific vice-captain and I have no doubt he'll come on and captain our footy club for many more years.
"He's an awesome bloke and to see him come through and win us a game like that and push us through to the next final is just a standout effort."
Kennedy, who won't put his hand up to become captain, also stood tall in extra time by converting two crucial majors.
The dual Coleman medallist admitted he was beaten by unheralded Power backman Tom Clurey, but he wasn't concerned in the slightest.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson has wanted to ease the reliance on his star full-forward and Jack Darling (three goals) and retiring veteran Drew Petrie (two) stepped up while Kennedy was well held.
"I don't think I played that well on the weekend," Kennedy said.
"I was out of it a lot of the game and I think I got beaten.
"But it was just great to see guys like Jack step up and take some marks, and big Drew Petrie he was unbelievable.
"He really set us up and we're having a lot more wider spread, which is what you want, especially coming into this time of year."
Kennedy believed the Eagles' experience in heart-stopping finishes this season was telling late against the Power.
West Coast featured in seven games decided by fewer than 10 points during the home and away campaign – losing five of them.
But in round 23 against Adelaide the Eagles surged late to secure a finals berth by percentage and they were clinical when it counted at the death against Port.
"You do a bit of matchplay, but it's pretty hard to mimic (at training)," Kennedy said.
"I think it's just being in those situations over and over again and we've stuffed those times up – some we've won and some we haven't.
"I think it's just going through those last minutes, being able to experience it and learning from it.
"The boys have been in that situation a few times and they held strong and the composure was there with a lot of our players."
