West Coast’s players and staff were relieved to learn of their ‘return to Perth’ date yesterday, but Elliot Yeo says the Eagles are determined to make the most of their remaining three weeks in Queensland.
The two-time John Worsfold medallist admitted the players were more at ease knowing they would make their way back west following the club’s round six fixture against Adelaide.
In a way the news reset the group’s focus, according to Yeo.
He said the team was now 100 per cent focused on improving its win-loss record after suffering two heavy defeats to local sides Gold Coast and Brisbane.
“I think it was probably 5pm or 6pm last night that we got the tick that we are probably going home on (July) 11 and it was imminent that the fixture would be released,” Yeo told 96FM’s breakfast program today.
“We’re pretty happy to know that there’s an end date. I think we said we’d like to be here for a maximum of roughly about a month and I think it’s a month and three days in the end, so I think the club is pretty happy and the players are pretty happy.
“I’m not ready to come home just yet. We need to win three more and then we’ll see how we go.”
West Coast’s mission to register three more wins starts this Saturday against Port Adelaide, who currently sit atop the AFL ladder.
Yeo said the Eagles were desperate to exact some revenge on the Power, who handed West Coast one of its heaviest defeat of last year’s home and away season in round five.
On that day Ken Hinkley’s men ran riot in wintry conditions, beating the Eagles by 42 points at Optus Stadium.
“They are playing some really good football at the moment,” Yeo said of the Power.
“They played Gold Coast in round one up here and they played really well and absolutely smashed them.
“Last time they smashed us, so we need to get them back for that.
“It hasn’t been the best start (to the season), but considering the two weeks that we’ve had the spirit is still there and the mood is quite high.
“We’re looking forward to this week and hopefully trying to get a win on the board.”
While the four points is motivation enough, Yeo admitted he would like to get one over his premiership teammate Scott Lycett, who left the Eagles to join the Power at the completion of 2018.
Yeo said he was looking forward to having some friendly banter with his close mate.
“There is a little bit of niggle and a little bit of chat going on out there,” Yeo conceded.
“It’s pretty fun actually. I guess once the game’s over we have a laugh and obviously shake each other’s hand.
“Hopefully we’ll be on the end of a winning one this week.”
