This time two years ago, Elliot Yeo was deep in the doldrums of long-term injury, labelled “fat” and ripped into by controversial footy commentator Kane Cornes for letting standards slip as West Coast struggled.

But just five games into 2024, the premiership star is showing how important he is to the Eagles, matching an impressive two-decade-old mark.

First hit by debilitating osteitis pubis in 2020, Yeo was then struck by a ceaseless string of soft tissue concerns as he tried to fight his way back to health and form.

Between 2020 and 2023, the 30-year-old never put together more than four games in a row.

He played 10 of 18 in 2020, 12 of 22 in 2021, five of 22 in 2022 and 10 of 23 games in 2023.

Just 37 of the 85 games played across those four seasons.

West Coast were often criticised for rushing veterans back into the team as they faced mounting losses.

However, after a full pre-season ahead of the 2024 campaign, the star’s explosive return to form explains why the Eagles were so desperate to inject Yeo back into the engine room.

West Coast’s drought-breaking triumph over Richmond on Sunday coincided with Yeo’s fifth-straight appearance to start the season.

And stringing those games together on top of a solid pre-season saw the midfield bull become just the second player, behind Gary Ablett, to record 15 plus clearances and 13 plus score involvements in a match since 1999.

Yeo kicked two goals to go with 27 disposals and a game-high 15 clearances in the 39-point win over Richmond, punctuating a form line that rivals that of his peak.

According to Champion Data, Yeo rates fifth for contested possessions, fourth for ground-ball gets and third for clearances across all AFL midfielders.

He has increased his disposal output by seven per game in 2024 compared to the last three campaigns, while his contested possessions and tackles have risen by more than 50 per cent.

His ground-ball gets have more than doubled, going from 5.4 to 11.2.

His form is also proving contagious, with Tim Kelly joining him for the ride - leading all-comers with 29 disposals against the Tigers - as youngsters Harley Reid and Reuben Ginbey produce the best returns of their young careers.