West Coast lose Elliot Yeo for AFL finals

West Coast has suffered a big blow to its premiership hopes with versatile star Elliot Yeo ruled out for the remainder of the season.

West Coast’s Elliot Yeo has succumbed to osteitis pubis. Picture: AAP

West Coast has suffered a significant blow to its premiership hopes with versatile star Elliot Yeo ruled out for the remainder of the season.

The Eagles, which will host Collingwood in an elimination final at Optus Stadium on Saturday week, were hopeful the dynamic John Worsfold Medallist would be available for a finals campaign.

But the dual-All Australian was unable to overcome osteitis pubis, which has hampered him since a win over Carlton at the start of August.

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West Coast football manager Craig Vozzo said Yeo had reached a “virtual stalemate” in terms of the injury improving enough for him to be a factor.

“The pain levels for Elliot are too great and the medical advice is we are better off taking a long-term approach, which we need to do,” Vozzo said.

“Elliot’s extremely disappointed, but we’re obviously going to have to put his season on ice.

West Coast’s Elliot Yeo needs to take time to heal

FINALS DRAW WEEK 1

Thursday, October 1

First qualifying final

Port Adelaide (1) v Geelong (4)

Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm AEST

Friday, October 2

Second qualifying final

Brisbane (2) v Richmond (3)

Gabba, 7.50pm AEST

Saturday, October 3

Second elimination final

St Kilda (6) v Western Bulldogs (7)

Gabba, 4.40pm AEST

Saturday, October 3

First elimination final

West Coast (5) v Collingwood (8)

Optus Stadium, 8.10pm AEST

We’re obviously very disappointed too, but we had no choice in the circumstance.”

While the Eagles were accepting the fate of Yeo, their rivals Collingwood were preparing for a challenge ahead that includes a week in Perth quarantine ahead of the final.

The Magpies have to spend seven days in Perth quarantine under revised restrictions and are almost certain to be based at the Joondalup resort they stayed at earlier this season.

Coach Nathan Buckley’s focus swung to preparing for what he hopes will be a successful fortnight culminating in an elimination final success immediately after the Magpies’ lost to Port Adelaide on Monday.

“We will be familiar with the accommodation. We will be familiar with the ground that we trained at,” he said.

“We would have played an elimination final here (in Brisbane) or Perth, and in the end we’ve got to win and that doesn’t change.”

The clash between the Magpies and Eagles is the last of the opening week of the finals series which will begin in Adelaide next Thursday when the Power host Geelong in a qualifying final.

St Kilda wrestled with playing their elimination final against the Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval but ultimately it was decided the clash will be played at the Gabba in a Saturday twilight timeslot leading into the match in Perth.

The Brisbane Lions have been rewarded with a home qualifying final

It will be the second final played at the Gabba following the clash between Brisbane and Richmond on Friday night, with the prize at stake a slot in the preliminary finals.

AFL broadcast and fixture boss Travis Auld said the league was determined to maximise attendances and television audiences, as well as catering to club preferences.

The Lions are increasingly confident star defender Harris Andrews will be available for the qualifying final against reigning premier Richmond as he makes rapid progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

“I’ve been able to train pretty well the last couple of weeks to get some real continuity through my body,” Andrews said.

“Now got a couple of boxes to tick off later this week. We’ll have a pretty big session on Thursday or Friday. If I can get through that, I’ll give myself a really good chance of playing. I back my ability to recover well.”

Midfielder Jarrod Berry will also be available for the qualifying final after overcoming a shoulder problem.