West Coast defender Brad Sheppard has lavished praise on Tom Barrass after the intercept king regained his mojo in Thursday night’s demolition of Essendon.

Barrass’ form had been a concern leading into the elimination final after he committed a number of uncharacteristic mistakes in recent losses to Richmond and Hawthorn.

But the 23-year-old was back to his assured best in the 55-point win over Essendon, tallying eight marks, 15 disposals and four spoils.

Barrass combined with Jeremy McGovern to control the air, helping limit Essendon to just nine goals for the match.

“I thought tonight his aerial contest, his marking and his spoiling was back to his best, and hopefully he can keep it up,” Sheppard told 6PR.

“He’s played a lot of great footy for this club and he had a really good finals series last year.

“He’s been copping a little bit in the media (recently), but he doesn’t listen to too much external noise.

“He knows the process, what he needs to do to play well.

“Unfortunately when you’re playing in the last line of defence, you might do five, six, seven things right and you might cough up a couple, and everyone remembers the couple you cough up.”

Barrass wasn’t the only player to excel in defence, with Lewis Jetta’s pin-point kicking also a highlight.

Jetta also helped blanket Jake Stringer, who went goalless from 13 disposals.

“This season his defensive work has been outstanding,” Sheppard said of Jetta.

“Very rarely does he get beaten in one-on-one contests. He’s a great team member and he brings a lot of energy to the group.

“Offensively with ball in hand he’s one of the best in the competition. If he’s running past, I’ll be giving him the handball every day of the week.”