When the club blooded three debutants in round one, Shirley, 29, appeared to be a victim of the club's youth-first approach when he was sent back to the SANFL to play with Woodville West Torrens.
He was recalled to the Crows’ side for the job on Geelong star Gary Ablett in round four, but was dropped again after the Cats’ star amassed 46 possessions.
His AFL comeback was further delayed when he received a two-match ban for a reckless tackle while playing in the SANFL.
It wasn't until round 12 that he made his AFL return and six weeks later he avenged his earlier poor performance on Ablett by limiting the Cats’ star to just 21 touches.
Now lining up for his 150th game this weekend, Shirley said he’d learned never to take his place in the side for granted.
“Every year I’ve been in a position where I’m a little uncertain as to what’s going to happen the following year, but it’s given me drive to make the most of the position I’m in now,” Shirley said on Wednesday.
“I think I’ve still got another two or three good years of footy left in me, but in saying that it’s a year-by-year prospect. You’ve got to take every game as it comes and make the most of it.”
Shirley played as a tagger on debut for the Crows back in round three, 2000 and has been typecast ever since.
He identified Chris Judd, Gary Ablett and North Melbourne skipper Brent Harvey as his toughest opponents.
“I would’ve liked to have broken away from tagging eventually, but in the end it gets me right in the heart of the action. I’m around the ball and those good players take me to the ball,” he said.
“Brent Harvey is one I’ve always struggled with because he’s a different type of player. Going up against these blokes is a great thrill and a great challenge building up through the week.”
Shirley won’t have his traditional job on Eagles’ ball magnet Daniel Kerr on Saturday afternoon, but said there was still plenty to like about the new-look West Coast team.
“The Eagles are playing some good footy and they’ve got a great record against us, but that’s great because we have to be at our best to beat them and that’s what we want going into finals.”
