Danielle Laidley: West Coast Eagles legend Elliot Yeo has earned the right to go out on his own terms

When it comes to Elliot Yeo, I have heard things like ‘put him the WAFL or rest him for a few weeks’, or people saying the Eagles have a big decision to make. Let me assure you, it’s not as easy as that. There is so much open conversation to be had, with honesty and integrity. The first thing to be considered is Yeo is contracted for 2027. So let’s think of the player first, and work back from there. Let’s look at the physical side. He’s battle weary. The way he attacks the game has been extraordinary, he’s been a beast over the years, and that in itself takes a toll. The past six years have been tough and he has battled with injury. The last time he played over 20 games was 2019, then it was 37 games in the next three years after that. He had a standout year in 2024, playing 20 games, but that took its toll and he didn’t get on the ground in 2025. This year to date, the tally is 16 games. He has missed a few with an injury, played a mix of positions — perhaps to look after his body but also to give more midfield time to the next generation. Maybe 16 games is enough on his body and it’s time to rest and recover, in preparation for 2027. Then there is the mental side. The years of battling his body, perhaps thinking ‘I can’t do what I used to do, do I want to keep doing this job anymore, has my family had enough?’. The grind eventually gets everyone. There can even be a fear of not doing it anymore, or the lingering question over what am I going to do next? You can become isolated after being part of a family for all your adult life. AFL life is not as glamourous as people think. Coaching North Melbourne, I had Anthony Stevens and Glenn Archer in similar situations. Apart from being their coach, we were premiership teammates and great friends. Stevo was in the last year of his contract. We met every week and had many conversations about retiring. I made it very clear; it would not be my decision, it was his, and he had earned that right. At round 15 in 2004, his form more than warranted playing on, yet in the space of a a month it wavered again. We played on a Saturday night late in the season and he was on my doorstep the next morning. He had come to his own decision, that would be it for him. He is a true legend. Glenn was a little bit different, he was contracted. In 2006 he had a horrific run with his body, but his mind was clear he couldn’t finish like that. We spoke about the pros and cons — very honestly — and again I said it was his decision. He decided to play on and we both agreed to not play him interstate. If he needed a break he could come sit with me. History will tell you his form was amazing and he played every game, finishing up after the 2007 preliminary final. Not many players get to make the call on when they retire. Elliot Yeo from a distance looks to fall into that category. He’s played 200 games for the club is a premiership player and a spiritual leader. You can tell that just by the way the next generation speak about him. Letting him just walk out the door with all the respect, knowledge and experience of what it takes to be a great player and great team is gone forever. Like the Archer conversation, It may well be he plays every home game and doesn’t travel. Or if he needs a rest, sit next to Andrew McQualter. Let’s not judge the champion, he will know what is right.