Retiring West Coast veteran Drew Petrie predicts star ruckman Nic Naitanui will play again this year if the Eagles can go deep into September.
Naitanui hasn’t played since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in round 22 last year.
The 2012 All-Australian is in good shape, and is training hard in the hope that West Coast can surge into a grand final.
The Eagles finished the regular season in eighth spot, and face a massive task to topple the Power at Adelaide Oval in their September 9 elimination final.
But if West Coast can emulate last year’s heroics from the Bulldogs by pulling off a series of upsets, Petrie thinks Naitanui will return.
“I think if we go far enough into September, he’s likely to play,” Petrie said.
“He’s been training really well. He’s often training before we get out on the track.
“But we usually see Nic striding up the wing. He gets involved in a lot of the match scenario drills now.
“Nic had a setback of about a month in the middle of the year.
“If that hadn’t have occurred, we could almost see him knocking on the door at the moment.”
Naitanui would have to enter his comeback AFL game without any match practice after West Coast’s WAFL affiliate East Perth failed to make the finals.
If he is to return, it probably wouldn’t be until the preliminary final, or perhaps the grand final if West Coast make it that far – an unlikely scenario.
Petrie confirmed his retirement plans following West Coast’s 29-point win over Adelaide on Sunday.
The 34-year-old told coach Adam Simpson of his decision two weeks ago, and said he was thankful for being able to play this season after being axed by North Melbourne last year.
When Petrie took up West Coast’s rookie lifeline, he thought he would have to spend a bulk of the season in the WAFL.
But a serious shoulder injury to Scott Lycett opened the door for Petrie to become the club’s back-up ruckman to Nathan Vardy.
West Coast’s midfield have struggled without the silver service of Naitanui, with Lycett’s absence an additional blow.
“I might have shortened a few of the midfielders careers not giving them first use as much as they’re used to,” Petrie said with a laugh, referring to the looming retirements of Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell.
“I’ve not been the most reliable with my hit zones and connecting with the midfielders.
“They’ve had things on a silver platter over the last few years with Nic and Scotty Lycett doing good things at centre bounces.”
Chizzie
Guest
Eagles missed the boat nic should have played 2 half games with his wafl team and a full game off and on the bench against the giants and a full game against the crows that would have him match fit 80% minimum and touch and precision 80%+. Its still a roll of the dice worth considering his ruck work is sublime field presence and his ability to do what no other ruckman can his athleticism at 80% still puts him in the top 3. 100% he has no equal. Id risk him the coasters are going into the final playing a sparkling game against the top ranked crows. Play that brand any week of the finals with big nic thrown in the mix they are a chance to emulate the run the doggies pulled off last final series. There are equally good cases for swans cats and the crows clearly the three strongest teams in the eight. I like west coasts form and with nat firing look out.
Don Freo
Guest
What would you like me to be negative about? Are you a footy fan, eric?
eric
Guest
Despite your predictions freo don't make the finals so now you transfer your bewildering optimism to west coast. Give us a rest.
Don Freo
Guest
They'll get there. Very few sides playing better.
Don Freo
Guest
It won't stuff up a year. The knee is not the problem now, it is just touch and match fitness.
Nigel
Guest
Totally agree Petrie has done an awsome job for West coast an it was great to see .lam a Collingwood man an after seeing Drew Playing like he has I would like to see him in the black an White for a 1or 2year deal to help out our tall problem an with a low cost too yeah sure Reid might happen but I do like Petrie .An Nat can't just come straight in .without game time surely .
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Opening up the travel can of worms,are we? It is well-documented that repeated long-distance,particularly east-west, travel to compete in sporting events, reduces recovery rate,exacerbates soft-tissue injuries and changes aerobic fitness. All these things can be managed, but, they're a burden on athletes and in the case of the AFL, only some athletes. When the AFL schedules each Victorian team eight away games every year, that might be a start towards a more even competition. And no, travelling to Tasmania doesn't count because it doesn't cross sufficient east -west distance and it's less than an hour in the air, This makes the Eagles' twentieth finals campaign all the more meritorious
BigAl
Guest
It would take a "surge" of Hurricane Harvey AND Katrina proportions for WCE to get into this years GF !
NoChance
Guest
If the Eagles get to the third week of the finals it is likely they won't have much of a team left, even if Nic Nat sneeks into the team. Travelling to play against very good teams in do or die contests, week after week, does that to even the toughest teams no matter how well they travel. Essendon have a much better chance than the Eagles even despite the Eagles being a better side.
WCE
Roar Rookie
maybe if we make the GF bring the big fella back, however, that's a big if , and only if he's 100% set to go. No use stuffing up another full year and his career. As far as Petrie goes I was sceptical at first but I retract my original thoughts and say Petrie is a bloody good player and should hang his head very high for what he has achieved for North and the might Coasters.
Joe B
Guest
Petrie has played his role really well this season, and has turned out to be a wise and thrifty selection to cover WC's injured ruck stocks. Well done to DP and WCE.
Boots
Guest
a lot of 'ifs' and 'maybes', in reality WCE quite likely wont get past the next one or two games away...