Eagles to maintain enjoying it cautious with Yeo

West Coast coach Adam Simpson will proceed to make use of Elliot Yeo in defence in a bid to construct the veteran up for a future midfield function.

Yeo made his return from a calf harm in Sunday’s 63-point loss to Melbourne, tallying 12 disposals, 5 marks and 338m gained earlier than being subbed out at three-quarter time.

West Coast’s defence was so undersized that Yeo was compelled to play as a key defender at occasions on the likes of Tom McDonald and Harrison Petty.

Yeo’s poise, energy, and willingness to take the sport on and ship the ball ahead meant he was one among West Coast’s finest gamers earlier than being subbed off.

The 29-year-old was restricted to simply 27 video games throughout the previous three seasons resulting from a raft of harm setbacks.

When he first got here again final yr, he broke down in his second recreation after being despatched straight into the midfield.

Yeo had extra success when he returned later within the season through defence, and it is a function he is set to proceed this yr.

“Most likely among the classes (we realized) from final yr of throwing him straight again into the midfield … the place the sport goes and the transition piece, it is so arduous,” Simpson mentioned.

“I believed he was good down again and he’ll get higher.”

Requested about when Yeo may return to the midfield, Simpson mentioned “hopefully the subsequent few weeks”.

Rising star Reuben Ginbey realized a useful lesson on what it takes to be an A-grade midfielder by means of a close-up take a look at Demons stars Clayton Oliver (34 disposals, 10 clearances) and Christian Petracca (29 disposals, three targets).

Ginbey completed with 14 disposals and three clearances, and SImpson mentioned the expertise was useful for the 18-year-old and his fellow younger teammates.

“What’s right now value – 4 or 5 WAFL video games?” Simpson mentioned.

“Reuben is studying rather a lot on the fly in the meanwhile.

“However we do not need to break (younger gamers) both. We have got to regulate that.

“It is nice having somebody like Tim Kelly round. And when Dom (Sheed) is round, and Luke (Shuey) is round, it actually enhances what we’re making an attempt to chase.

“We’ll handle it the most effective we will. They are not simply going to be a linear development. There’s going to be some ups and downs with the children.

“They’ve had one pre-season, so we have to be a bit bit affected person.”

West Coast are hopeful defender Alex Witherden (concussion) will return for Sunday’s match in opposition to Geelong in Adelaide, however Sheed (fractured larynx) may miss one other week.

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