ELLIOT Yeo smothered Nat Fyfe in the Western Derby and the resurgent West Coast beast could have another superstar, Marcus Bontempelli, in his sights this Friday night.
Yeo's stunning return to form has been one of the highlights of the Eagles' season to date, with the 23-year-old determined to bounce back after admitting he plateaued last year.
Having settled at half-back with stints pinch-hitting in midfield, Yeo has re-established himself as one of the AFL's brightest prospects and a head-to-head battle with Bulldogs jet Bontempelli is a mouthwatering possibility.
"He's that big body that can play on the talls and marking mids, too. That would be a great match-up that I'd love to see," Eagles teammate Matt Priddis said on Monday.
Yeo has shot into Brownlow Medal discussions and is averaging 25 disposals and nearly 10 marks per game.
The high-flying former Lion was outstanding again in the gritty win over Port Adelaide on Saturday, racking up 27 touches, with 10 marks and a goal, and Priddis believes Yeo is starting to realise his potential.
"He's been fantastic and it's great to see," Priddis said.
"He's been in our top performers every single game and I think he's just playing at the level everyone knows he can play at.
"He's a super athlete, he can play at both ends of the ground, and at the moment he's really clear on what he wants to achieve.
"His preparation has been really consistent and he's playing with real flair and confidence."
Bontempelli and the rest of the Dogs' midfield hunted the Eagles in last year's shock elimination final victory at Domain Stadium, which propelled Luke Beveridge's men towards a drought-breaking premiership.
But it was a shattering loss for West Coast.
The Eagles had beaten finalists GWS and Adelaide on the road heading into September but failed at home when it mattered most, and Priddis conceded that 47-point belting from the Dogs still hurt.
"The way we exited last year is a driving factor," he said.
"At the end of the home and away season last year we beat some really good footy sides, so expectations were high and we just didn't deliver on that night."
Contested possession has become a vital indicator of the Eagles' intent, and Priddis expected that battle would be crucial against the Dogs – who dominated the stat (+23) in the elimination final.
West Coast was also beaten up around the ball by Richmond and Hawthorn at the MCG in the club's two losses this year, but won the contested scrap by 10 against Port Adelaide.
"For me (the Bulldogs) still set the benchmark with contested footy," said Priddis, who ranks ninth in the AFL in the key statistic with 14 per game.
"We're expecting a really tough game in that regard this week.
"We try to pride ourselves on the contest and the pressure we can apply.
"So it will be a good test to see if we have improved."
