550 games and change - Is time up for Andrew Gaff and Jack Darling?
When West Coast picked up Andrew Gaff and Jack Darling in the 2010 draft, the Eagles would’ve been chuffed if both players went on…
West Coast coach Adam Simpson will be a nervous onlooker when Nic Naitanui lines up against Ireland in Saturday night’s International Rules Test in Perth.
Naitanui has battled groin soreness for much of the past two years, but the 24-year-old is fit and raring to go for the one-off Test after taking time off to recover at the end of last season.
The 201cm ruckman remains West Coast’s most prized asset, and Simpson says the club will monitor Naitanui closely in the lead-up to Saturday’s clash to make sure he’s OK.
“We have embraced the game, but having said that, he is a West Coast player and we wouldn’t put him at risk if we didn’t have to,” Simpson said on Monday.
“He has come back early, he’s trained the last two weeks and he is in a good position (to play).
“But if he is sore or if he is showing signs that he can’t contribute, then he won’t.
“We won’t take any risks, but at the moment, he’s feeling really good.
“We’re confident that he’ll be all right.”
West Coast’s young guns started pre-season training earlier this month, and the rest of the squad joined them on Monday for a 2km time trial.
Midfielders Chris Masten and Andrew Gaff were the standouts, while ruckman Callum Sinclair also impressed.
West Coast are taking a conservative approach with star forward Jack Darling, who is still recovering from a foot stress fracture.
Key defender Eric Mackenzie (hip surgery), Beau Waters (shoulder), Sharrod Wellingham (knee/shin) and Jeremy McGovern (hip) are others who will be eased in.
Rookie Murray Newman, who was released from jail earlier this year, will be on light duties for the next fortnight after rolling his ankle earlier this month.
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