Kane Cornes has blasted West Coast over its decision to re-sign veteran midfielder Elliott Yeo on a fresh three-year contract in June last year, describing the move as “stupidity” after the 31-year-old last week suffered knee and ankle injuries.
The premiership-winning on-baller will almost certainly miss the start of the Eagles’ season after he injured the medial ligament in his right knee and suffered syndesmosis damage to his right ankle when he was tackled during a training session last Friday.
Cornes said Yeo was a “real bright spot” for West Coast in the 2024 season, in which he averaged 22.5 disposals, 12 contested possessions and 6.5 clearances per match.
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But the Port Adelaide great argued that by agreeing to a new three-year deal with the Yeo camp, the Eagles had repaid the faith in too generous a fashion.
“West Coast get tipped in because he has two thirds of a good season last year before he got injured late, and reward him with a three-year contract for a 31-year-old,” Cornes said on SEN radio on Tuesday.
“This is games played since 2020 for Elliott Yeo: 10, 12, five, 10, 20. And West Coast go, ‘You know what? Because there’s a story, that’s probably been leaked by the Yeo camp, that there’s interest from a Victorian club, we’re going to give him three years at 31’.
“It honestly blows my mind, the stupidity of clubs.”
Cornes said the Eagles needed to keep Yeo “on the edge” and compared him with livewire forward Jake Stringer, who at the age of 30 inked a two-year deal with Greater Western Sydney in October last year.
“I don’t think his [Yeo’s] standards have been that good for a fair amount of time,” Cornes said.
“He finally got himself right [in 2024] because he was playing for a contract.
“… You’re not going to deny time, are you? [It would be] great [to give him a contract] if he’s 22; yeah, no worries, have whatever you want. But he doesn’t play and he’s 31. His body’s not going to get better.”
Yeo had been training at full capacity despite copping a knock to the eye during a recent match simulation, which left him wearing protective eyewear.
In a club statement published on Monday regarding Yeo’s injuries, footy boss Gavin Bell said there were “always risks involved” with training increasing in intensity.
“We are working through his rehab program and a return-to-play timeline,” Bell said.
“At this stage, we’re hopeful he will be available in the early part of the season.”
The Eagles will open their season in a clash with the Gold Coast Suns in Perth on Sunday, March 16.