The journey has not been smooth sailing for West Coast’s star midfielder Elliot Yeo, suffering a number of injuries that have seen him sidelined on and off for the better part of the last four years.

The two-time John Worsfold Medallist has had an outstanding start to the 2024 season, and said his main focus is trying his best and helping out the team.

“I just go out there and try to give everything and have a real red-hot crack,” Yeo said.

“If I come off the field and I’ve given a real effort, I can hold my head high knowing that I’ve given 110 percent and given my best.

“That’s all I try to do and try to help a lot of people along the way as well so, that’s all I’m trying to focus on, how I can best help the team.”

Four rounds into the team’s 2024 campaign, Yeo has remained injury-free and is pleased to be able to compete each week.

“It’s a lot better that’s for sure (not being injured), it’s been a tough couple of years,” Yeo said.

“I’m glad to be out on the park and be able to help out as much as I can.

“We’ve got a pretty young team, so to be able to protect them and shield them in the coming years will be something I look forward to, and I just enjoy being out there and being able to compete.”

West Coast’s No. 1 draft pick Harley Reid has impressed in his first four games, just scraping the surface of his potential, and Yeo said he’s taken Reid under his wing.

“I have yeah, we had a good battle early throughout the pre-season which was good,” Yeo said.

“He’s going to be a very good player for us and the more that he can learn from all players, ‘TK’ (Tim Kelly), myself, ‘Boots’ (Luke Shuey) especially as a coach, he’s going to be a very, very good player going forward.”

A spirited Eagles fell short to Sydney by 26 points last round, but despite the result, Yeo said there was more connection between the group.

“There was definitely a lot more synergy within the group and I think that will still continue to come once we start to play more games together,” Yeo said.

“If we can keep everyone on the park it’s going to be more beneficial for us because there’s a big gap of either really old or really young (players).

“So, the more that we can play together and bridge that gap, the better we will be.”

The Eagles take on Richmond at Optus Stadium on Sunday and Yeo said, while it will be a battle, he’s looking forward to playing in front of the home fans again.

“It’s a big opportunity yeah, but they’re playing some really good football at the moment,” Yeo said.

“They were close at the Saints on the weekend with a fair few soldiers down, and they beat Sydney the week before, so they did something that we couldn’t do.

“But on top of that, it’s a really good opportunity for us in front of our home fans; at our first home game a few weeks ago, they were phenomenal.

“If they can come out and support us again, it’s going to be a good game.”