West Coast’s senior defenders Shannon Hurn and Brad Sheppard have backed youngster Tom Barrass to rebound from a tough few weeks.

Camera Icon Tom Lynch outmarks Eagle Tom Barrass. Credit: AAPIMAGE

Barrass has committed a host of uncharacteristic errors over the past fortnight, with the mistakes proving costly in losses to Richmond and Hawthorn.

The 23-year-old is normally a proven performer in big games, and Hurn has faith Barrass will play well in next week’s elimination final against Essendon.

“No one intends to make a mistake. If you make a mistake, just try and aim to not dwell on that,” Hurn said.

“That’s something we’ve worked on throughout the last three years, to make sure we stay in the moment. What’s gone is gone.

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“So just keep backing yourself, because pretty much every player - and Tom is one of them - makes more right decisions than wrong decisions. Mistakes happen.”

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Eagles coach Adam Simpson felt Barrass may have been harshly judged in recent weeks.

“Unfortunately when you play in the last line, you save the day six or seven times - which he does every week - and then if you miss a couple of predictable moments the spotlight comes on,” Simpson said.

Camera Icon Tom Barrass has endured an injury interrupted season. Credit: Jackson Flindell

“We think that’s a little bit unfair. Yeah he can play a little bit better, but we think he’s doing a reasonable enough job to compete in the air.”

Fellow defender Sheppard said it’s easy to forget Barrass is still a young player starting out his career.

“Tommy’s a great kid,” he said.

“Everyone goes through patches throughout a season.

“Sometimes the harder you work and the more you want things to happen, the harder it is.”

Sheppard said the Eagles needed to keep it simple for Barrass.

“You almost have to go the opposite with Tommy and go: ‘You’re a gun, you’re a great player. Just play. You’ve done the work. Back your instinct, play on flair. See the ball, mark it. If not, punch it’,” Sheppard said.