West Coast coach Adam Simpson has declared “it’s time to play” for star midfielder Elliot Yeo, but tempered expectations the two-time club champion will immediately return to his brilliant best.
Yeo was called up to face Essendon at Optus Stadium on Saturday night following one WAFL appearance when he gathered 13 touches and laid eight tackles on managed minutes against East Perth.
It was an encouraging step forward for the powerful onballer following more than nine months battling osteitis pubis, and Yeo pulled up well enough to be considered for either a full WAFL Eagles game or modified match time at AFL level.
Simpson recognised there was always risk bringing back any player from injury but was confident Yeo was ready for the step up in intensity.
“He’s a very good player. Obviously we’ve missed Yeo and (Luke) Shuey, and (Liam) Duggan now was important for us – they’ve been big players for us,” Simpson said.
“Rushing them back in versus doing the right thing … I think if we were going to rush him back we would’ve played him last week.
“It’s time to play.
“We’ve been really conservative with his rebuild. We’ve taken extra time and now he gets a chance to play.
“Expectations are he’ll work into the season. I wouldn’t be expecting his best version tomorrow, but hopefully he can build towards it.”
Yeo was included to face the Bombers alongside small forward Jamaine Jones, with taller forward Jake Waterman and key defender Harry Edwards omitted ahead of an expected wet weather clash.
Waterman could still be the medical sub for a meeting against his brother Alec’s team, which is coming off consecutive wins over Fremantle and North Melbourne, and has lost three games by three points or less this year.
The Bombers sit 11th on the ladder with a 4-6 record, and the Eagles are seventh at 6-4 following last round’s 16-point defeat to Greater Western Sydney.
“The way they’ve played the last couple of weeks they’re extremely dangerous,” Simpson said.
“They’ve got confidence, talent, youth, speed, and number two for scoring.
“The best version of their side is really dangerous, so we’re fully aware what is in front of us coming off a scratchy game on the weekend.”
