ELLIOT Yeo will draw on West Coast midfield coach Sam Mitchell's experience and go to school on Nat Fyfe's stoppage work as he prepares for arguably football's toughest assignment in the Western Derby.

Yeo wants another crack at Fremantle's superstar after keeping a close eye on Fyfe and holding him to 19 touches in last season's first derby.

"I'd like to play on him, it just depends on what 'Simmo' (coach Adam Simpson) says," Yeo told AFL.com.au.

"If everything goes well throughout the week, I'll probably play a similar role to last time I was on him.

"I don't think it would be a hard-tagging, run-with role. I think it'd be a 'start from stoppage and go from there', but we'll have to wait and see.

"It's good to play on the best. He's in good form and I think it's a good challenge."

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Yeo was superb in last year's round six derby, picking up 32 disposals and taking 14 marks through midfield and across half-back, but was a late withdrawal from the rematch.

You're going nowhere: Yeo shuts down Fyfe in last year's round six derby. Picture: AFL Photos



Though the John Worsfold medallist has relished roles on some of the game's biggest names over the past 12 months, shutting down Fyfe will be a different proposition this time around.

The Dockers skipper has more confidence in his body coming off his broken leg issues and is in destructive form.

Fyfe looked like a man playing against boys as he gathered a career-high 43 disposals and extracted 13 clearances in the rout of the Western Bulldogs.

After five rounds, the 190cm beast is the equal competition leader for contested possessions (17.8) and ranked second for clearances (8.6).

"I saw some highlights (of Fyfe against the Dogs) and it was pretty impressive," Yeo said.

"I've spoken to Mitch about it and he's said he's going to pull up some vision on Thursday and we're going to try and go through what we can do.

"But previously I've backed in my strengths as well and fought it as a one-on-one, really.

"I guess that's why you put in all the hard work in the gym in the off-season.

"It's important you do all those things so when you come up against strong players you can take it to them."

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Yeo, who was a Fremantle supporter growing up but "strongly dislikes" the Dockers now, is expecting a ferocious contest this Sunday with history at stake in the first Western Derby at Optus Stadium.

The Dockers' home game is set to sell out and playing in front of about 58,000 fans – mostly Freo supporters – will be a stern test of the regenerating Eagles' credentials after a surprising 4-1 start to the season.

"The pressure is always on in a derby, it's all about bragging rights," Yeo said.

"As all derbies are, it will be tough, contested football.

"We're not used to 50,000 Dockers supporters but I'm looking forward to the challenge … and the hostility."