If ever a player was due some luck it is Elliot Yeo after the past three seasons, and especially 2022.
Having featured in just 22 games the previous two years, disaster struck in the Eagles’ first scratch match against Fremantle when he suffered a calf strain.
It was the start of an extremely frustrating year for the now 29-year-old, with signs of brilliance across half-back all-too-brief around soft-tissue, concussion and COVID speed bumps along the way.
Yeo’s five appearances was the fewest in any of his 11 seasons at the top level and despite a valiant attempt to get up for the end of the season his second calf setback was too much to overcome.
Standout performance: A throwback to half-back
It’s splitting hairs to decide between Yeo’s brilliant performances as an intercepting, rebounding defender against Geelong and Essendon in rounds 14 and 15, and no coincidence they were among the Eagles’ better matches for the year.
Needing to build his fitness, Yeo was sent back to defence by Adam Simpson after the mid-season bye, reprising the role that shot him to stardom when he became an All-Australian and Club Champion for the first time in 2017.
Against the Cats, Yeo had 22 disposals and a career-best 11 rebound 50s, with his booming kick a feature, and he was instrumental in the following round’s victory over the Bombers, finishing with 20 touches and 10 rebound 50s.
Sadly, that was his second-last game for the season, with a hamstring injury against Richmond at the MCG curtailing his ambitions of a strong finish to the campaign.
Season averages
Disposals – 15
Rebound 50s – 5.2
Marks – 4.2
Tackles – 3.6
Intercept marks – 1.2
