Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) coach Adam Simpson would love to keep two-time club champion Elliot Yeo at the club beyond this season amid interest from interstate rivals for out of contract.
It comes as Simpson revealed the dual All-Australian was tracking towards a return when the Eagles travel to Adelaide on Sunday after two weeks on the sidelines.
Multiple AFL clubs have reportedly circled Yeo as an off-season target after the 30 year-old returned to his blistering best in the opening eight games of the season.
After just 37 games across the past four seasons, Yeo has averaged 24 disposals, five tackles and 7.6 clearances per game this season.
Simpson told 7NEWS they were keen to retain Yeo’s services as he approached unrestricted free agency this off-season.
“Of course we’d love to keep Elliot — he’s almost our best player,” he said.
“You saw the first six or seven games what he can do for our side and he’s been really good with the younger players, so I’d love to keep him.”
Yeo was subbed out of the defeat to Essendon with a groin injury, but Simpson said he was firming for a return against the Crows.
“He trained fully on Saturday, in our little our captain’s run extra session,” he said.
“Hoping he gets a full training block this week and he’s available so that we could get him back.”
In Yeo’s absence against Naarm on Sunday, his young midfield running mate Harley Reid and forward Jake Waterman led Waalitj Marawar to a 35-point win.
Waterman’s five goals gave him co-ownership of top spot in the Coleman Medal race and Simpson praised his progress this season.
“We’re missing a few key position players over the last few years, we’ve had Kennedy and obviously Oscar Allen, do he’s working really well with the other forwards,” Simpsons said.
“He’s obviously working really well with Matty Knights, our forward line coach and he’s playing with a lot of confidence. Hopefully, it keeps going.”
On Reid, Simpson said the teen sensation put a smile on everyone’s face after a dominant, best-on-ground performance and multiple highlight reel plays.
“We just want him to play to his strengths and play with that freedom,” he said.
“I think we all can see when he plays with that free spirit and anything’s possible with him.
“He had a good night last night. It’s not our expectation every week, but we’ll definitely take it.”
Simpson also said they were working through a process in regards to forward Tyler Brockman, who was charged by police over a Geraldton crash which left a lamp post crumpled — and which he is alleged to have left without reporting.