Elliot Yeo – Deck of DT 2024

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Why should I pick him?

No doubt about it, I am ready to get hurt again.

Fantasy sports are a game of risk vs reward, and let’s just forget about the risks for the moment. The reward is clear cut. In 2017 Yeo had a breakout season playing across half back, averaging 98.3 from 23 disposals and 7 marks. We have since seen him try to replicate that role in recent years, with little to no success.

Where he has played his best footy is in the middle, which is where he moved to in the Eagle’s 2018 premiership year. No coincidence. He averaged 107 as an uber premium selection, driven by his insane hugging ability. Over 2018 and 2019 Yeo averaged 7 tackles per game. Those are peak Rocky numbers.

In his last full season of AFL, Yeo played as an inside midfielder and averaged 103. That’s 2 seasons of uber premium scoring in that role, which is clearly going to be his role in 2024. Yes, that last full season may have been in 2019, but the stats don’t lie. If Yeo stays fit, an average of 100+ is absolutely on the cards.

The best news of all is his body is finally at 100%. If there was even the slightest hiccup during pre-season I would understand being hesitant, but Yeo couldn’t have done anymore. Looking back at his career, he averaged 21 games per season over a 5 year span from 2015-2019. Durability was actually a reason you should pick him!

Yeo is 100% fit and firing and in the middle. History tells us that will make him a walk up top 6 defender, yet you can get him for just $633,000. At that price he doesn’t even need to last the season, not even 2 months! Just long enough to make some cash and get us off to a flyer. Some will say selecting the Yo-yo is like playing a game of Russian Roulette. I say not selecting him is just that. The upside is massive.

Why shouldn’t I pick him?

Unfortunately it’s not always as simple as forgetting about the risks, because I don’t think you could possibly find a bigger red flag than Elliot Yeo’s health. There is a better than 50/50 chance that I look like a total moron writing this article within the next couple of weeks. Just note that it says projected average at the top, not projected games.

Yeo has played 37 games in the last 4 seasons. Thirty-seven. He is more likely to miss the next week than he is to play. His best effort was a whopping 12 games in 2021 where he averaged 83. His body hasn’t been right for half a decade, and his scoring shows it.

You’re picking the most injury riddled player in the AFL who has averaged 70, 57, 83 and 85 (adjusted) over the past 4 years. You’re basically asking for punishment. If we’re lucky he will go down injured before Round 1 and we can all just forget this little moment of weakness ever happened. If we’re not his string might ping midway through Q1 and tank our season before it has begun. The question may not be are you gutsy enough to pick him, rather are you smart enough to not.

Deck of DT Rating.

QUEEN

Based on his projected average, selecting him is a no brainer. If you’re scared off by the injury risk, I don’t blame you. But let me be clear. The role is obvious. The scoring ability is unquestioned. As I write this article, he has had a full pre-season, is 100% fit and dominating match sim. Let’s just put it this way. If he doesn’t go down injured, I think you’re going to be in more trouble not picking him than if things go wrong as an owner. It’s just the biggest IF I’ll ever write. The Yo-yo is back.

Follow me on twitter @mattcraigDT.

Matt