“I would have waited…”: Have Eagles made the same mistake again with Yeo’s new deal?

Fremantle great Paul Hasleby is concerned the West Coast Eagles haven’t learned from past lessons after the club handed veteran Elliot Yeo a three-year contract extension.

Yeo has largely stayed injury free in 2024 and has been rewarded handsomely for an impressive burst of form as a 30-year-old.

He’s averaging career highs for contested possessions and clearances this season and alongside Harley Reid, has been crucial in the Eagles’ better form at home.

“Elliot has been a wonderful contributor to our club over the course of 176 matches so far and his passion for West Coast is undeniable,” West Coast footy boss Gavin Bell said in a statement.

“The work he has done to overcome challenges with injury shows his determination to get back to his best and he has regained confidence in his body. This work will be ongoing and Elliot is committed to the program to allow him to do what he loves.

It’s a contract set to make Yeo – who had been linked to a trade east later this year – an Eagle for life.

“I think it’s great for Elliot Yeo, I think it’s great work by his management, they’ve done a great job here,” Hasleby said on SEN WA’s The Run Home.

However, Hasleby suggested the Eagles should have held back the offer of a three-year deal, at least until later in 2024.

Yeo hasn’t played over 20 games in a season since 2019 and has been plagued by soft tissue injuries since.

The Eagles have struggled with the availability of veterans in recent years, with Luke Shuey, Nic Naitanui, Jeremy McGovern and more missing plenty of footy in recent years after signing contract extensions that were largely criticised at the time.

“I think it puts the West Coast Eagles at risk of this not working out for them once again on the back of a few contracts that have gone wrong for them in recent times,” Hasleby continued.

“Given where he’s at in his life and career… I think it would have been a big call to leave for one extra season… me personally, I would have waited at least until the end of the season.

“10 more games, look Elliot, here’s a two-year deal, we might revisit it if you get through the next 10 games. I don’t want this to happen but imagine if he pulls up sore in the next few weeks… then all of a sudden, that deal is not going to look that good for the Eagles.”

The Eagles travel to Marvel Stadium to play Essendon on Sunday of Round 15 and have dropped Andrew Gaff, Harry Edwards and Jai Culley for the clash, with Dom Sheed to miss through injury.