West Coast defender Tom Barrass has backed veteran Will Schofield to step straight into Brad Sheppard’s role and have an impact in their home preliminary final in a fortnight.

Sheppard injured his left hamstring during the first quarter of Saturday night’s qualifying final win over Collingwood and will battle to play again this season.

Schofield was an emergency against the Magpies and was engaged in deep conversation with Barrass after the match. Barrass said the 29-year-old was ready for his chance to shine.

“Will Schofield was unlucky to miss out this week,” Barrass said. “He’s been knocking on the door and playing amazing footy. We’ve got depth in our back line if Shepp can’t get up.

“We’re very much about squad mentality. Will was very much a chance this week and he’ll have a competitive, aggressive mindset as he always does going into the next few weeks.

“That’s one of his biggest strengths as a player.”

The stability of West Coast’s backline has been one of the keys to their success this season.

Sheppard and captain Shannon Hurn were among only six Eagles to play every game.

Jeremy McGovern and Liam Duggan have also been durable and missed only one match each. The strong defensive group has been one of the reasons why only four clubs — Geelong, Richmond, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide — conceded fewer points than West Coast during the home-and-away season.

The Eagles have become accustomed to covering for key players in other parts of the ground this season. Nic Naitanui and Andrew Gaff won’t play again this season and star forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling were sidelined for periods throughout the year.

“The squad mentality works,” Barrass said.

“We are a role-driven side and expect anyone who comes into the side to play that role and play it competently. It’s unlucky to lose Shepp but we’re very confident that the rest of our squad can help to cover that role.”

Saturday night’s win was the eighth time this season the Eagles have been victorious by less than 20 points and the fourth time they had won despite trailing during the last quarter.

Barrass said it showed the group’s maturity.

“It’s something we learnt the hard way by losing finals,” he said.

“You carry those things. Keeping your mind on your role helps you to fulfil it and that really helps in close games.”