The West Coast Eagles coaching staff saw enough of Elliot Yeo in managed minutes at WAFL level last Saturday to elevate the dual Club Champion for his first senior game in nine months.

Yeo, who has battled a groin injury since the middle of last season, has been promoted immediately and will resume at the elite level against Essendon at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

The inclusion of Yeo and small forward Jamaine Jones, for young key defender Harry Edwards and versatile forward Jake Waterman, are the two changes the match committee has made for this contest with one of the AFL’s emerging young teams.

Yeo played 75 minutes for the WAFL Eagles against East Perth last Saturday and although the team lost by 10 goals the fact that he got through the game unscathed – and subsequently recovered without a glitch – was the positive the club was looking to achieve.

The 2017 and 2018 John Worsfold medallist will undoubtedly bring his contested brand of football into the midfield at an important stage of the season.

The last time he played at AFL level was against Carlton in round 11.

Jones, who had been in pretty good touch, was a little unlucky to lose his place against GWS last week at Giants Stadium and he will be looking forward to building on a solid block of form.

Waterman and Harry Edwards could yet play, as the medical sub, as they are listed as emergencies with young defender Luke Foley and midfielder Luke Edwards, who has not yet made his senior debut.