Deven Robertson: Injured Eagle will come back ‘bigger and better’ after knee surgery, says Brandon Starcevich

Deven Robertson’s longest-serving teammate has backed the injured Eagle to come back “bigger and better” as he gets set to attack his lengthy rehabilitation following an ACL rupture.

Robertson was on Monday ruled out for the season with the cruel setback, which came in just the fourth appearance of his encouraging start to life at West Coast after 47 games at Brisbane.

Having been Robertson’s teammate for each of his seven seasons at AFL level, fellow injured Eagle Brandon Starcevich described him as feeling “pretty flat” but was confident of a strong response to the shattering news.

“He’s still in some good spirits, getting around the other boys and whatnot. But obviously he’d be devastated and we’re all devastated for him,” Starcevich said on 6PR.

“He’s getting a crack at the top level now, but he’ll have to wait a bit longer.

“He’ll come back again next year bigger and better. We’ll look after him and hopefully it all goes well for him from here.”

Robertson had struggled for senior opportunities at Brisbane, playing just six games across his final two seasons in the premiership campaigns of 2024 and 2025 before returning to his home State in search of a bigger AFL role.

But he will instead have to watch the remainder of the year from the sidelines - and leave West Coast with a defensive-minded midfielder hole to fill - as he looks to get back to full fitness.

“It’d be pretty daunting, but once you get past the initial shock and looking at what you can do next... he’s a professional. He’s a very committed and driven person,” Starcevich said.

“No doubt he will be doing as much as he can as soon as he can... he’ll be back in as quick as he can and getting himself right.”

Starcevich is yet to make his Eagles debut after joining Robertson in making the move from Brisbane over the off-season. The defender is considered at least a month away from playing as he works to overcome a calf issue.