West Coast Eagles track watch: Elliot Yeo continues rehab, Elijah Hewett on light duties
One of the most popular SuperCoach rookies of the year was on light duties on Wednesday at West Coast training, while Matt Flynn is pushing to take the No. 1 ruck mantle. See the full notes.
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Elliot Yeo is continuing to make strong progress as he eyes a return within the first month of the season, while Elijah Hewett has been managed on the track.
After ankle syndesmosis surgery last month, Yeo is out of a moon boot and was back running during the Eagles’ open training on Wednesday.
Sporting a knee brace to protect his medial ligament, the 31-year-old was put through his paces on the far oval at Mineral Resources Park.
After getting through a series of run-throughs, Yeo headed over to the Perth FC grandstand where he was seen climbing up and down the stairs.
Young gun Hewett was on light duties after playing a starring role in West Coast’s intraclub on Saturday. The club said the 20-year-old is on a managed program this week.
Midfielder Campbell Chesser was unsighted after undergoing ankle surgery on Monday. Tom Gross was back in action after overcoming calf tightness.
Rhett Bazzo (foot) started training with the main group but did not take part in match simulation. Young ruck Coen Livingstone was also in and out of the action after copping a heavy knock during the Indigenous All Stars game.
HARLEY REVVED UP
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest cheers of match simulation occurred when Harley Reid was taken down in a tackle by two teammates after attempting his signature fend-off.
Fresh off a near best-on-ground performance in the Eagles intraclub on Saturday, Reid proved he is human after succumbing to the pressure attempting to pass through traffic.
It prompted a hearty cheer from both sides, indicating it was an unfamiliar sight.
It’s set to be a big year for the 19-year-old. After a scintillating debut season, Reid has dealt with concussion, scar tissue and an ankle flare-up this pre-season. But if his recent form is anything to go by, the No. 1 pick is primed for another big season.
As rival Victorian clubs circle, West Coast co-captain Liam Duggan declared the wunderkind is loving his time out west.
“I am confident, I know he (Reid) loves it, he’s a great teammate, I am really confident he will stay,” Duggan said at AFL captain’s day.
RUCK RIDDLE
Despite failing to get through West Coast’s match simulation against Richmond after copping a knock to his back, Matt Flynn appears to have edged ahead of Bailey Williams in the race for the No. 1 ruck spot.
In two short periods of match simulation at the end of training, Flynn lined up on the favoured grey team.
The 27-year-old was also spotted duelling with Archer Reid early in the session, who is widely tipped to make his debut in round one as a forward/ruck following an impressive pre-season.
Williams was also seen speaking with coach Andrew McQualter at the end of training.
Originally published as West Coast Eagles track watch: Elliot Yeo continues rehab, Elijah Hewett on light duties
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