The young Eagle midfielder, who is this week's nomination for the NAB AFL Rising Star award, says West Coast's impressive start to 2011 is an indication of things to come.
"I think we've started to turn the corner. We worked really hard over pre-season. It was probably the best pre-season we've had in a few years. We've got 'Kerr-y' (Daniel Kerr) and big 'Coxy' (Dean Cox) up and going again," Shuey said.
The Eagles were wooden spooners last year after an 11th position in 2009 and 15th the year before. But Shuey says learning from the remaining players of the club's grand final years of 2005 and 2006 will help launch into the club's next era.
"We've lacked a bit of confidence in the last few years and getting these guys (Kerr and Cox) back really helps the confidence especially for the younger blokes to be coming through with guys who have been superstars of the game and they've played in premierships and being selected in All-Australian teams. You do feel more confident playing with those blokes," he said.
Confidence is something that doesn't seem to be missing in Shuey's game, after a stellar start to the season.
He had 20 touches in the round one win over North Melbourne, followed by a 27-disposal, three-goal game in last Saturday's win over Port Adelaide.
After an injury-interrupted first two seasons on West Coast's list in which he managed just six senior games, Shuey is fit, firing and ready to take on the world.
"I'm glad I'm injury-free at the moment. I'm starting to feel a lot more confident in my body and I owe the club a lot for getting me through the first two years," he said.
"It has been a bit of an up and down ride. The best way to repay them is to pay good footy. Hopefully this is the start of it."
Injuries weren't the only setbacks for Shuey in the past couple of years as he had to deal with the tragic and unexpected death of sister Melanie just months after he moved from Melbourne to Perth.
He says he will be forever indebted to West Coast for the support it gave him during that tough time.
"I knew the support was going to be first-class and it was. That's part of the reason I owe the club so much," he said.
"I'm so grateful for the opportunities they've given me and I am looking forward to playing a long and successful career here."
