West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui looked sore in last Friday’s loss to Collingwood and could face another stint on the sidelines.
Mystery surrounds the fitness of Nic Naitanui, with talk the star West Coast ruckman might struggle to play again this AFL season.
Naitanui needed his ankle re-strapped early in Friday night’s one-point AFL loss to Collingwood, and looked sorer and sorer as the night wore on.
After the game, Eagles coach Adam Simpson left the door ajar for Naitanui to be rested at some point in the coming weeks due to an unspecified soreness.
But there are also rumours that Naitanui may have suffered a serious injury against the Magpies.
Naitanui has played just three games since returning from a second knee reconstruction, with his deft ruck taps and bullocking work at ground level helping West Coast’s premiership-winning midfield become even more prolific.
It would be a bitter blow for both West Coast and Naitanui were he to be ruled out for a significant period.
Eagles midfielder Dom Sheed was unsure about Naitanui’s injury status, or whether the 29-year-old would be fit to front up against the Demons in Alice Springs on Sunday.
“I think he’s a bit sore, but I’m not sure exactly what it is,” Sheed said on Monday.
“You’re asking the wrong person. I haven’t seen him since the game. I didn’t ask him what he actually did. You’ll find out in the coming days I’m sure.”
If Naitanui was ruled out, it would leave Tom Hickey to shoulder the ruck load against All-Australian Max Gawn.
Gawn tallied 56 hitouts, seven clearances and 15 disposals against Hickey and Nathan Vardy in round nine.
The Eagles ruck duo combined for just 18 hitouts in that game, which West Coast won by 16 points courtesy of their star power in other parts of the ground.
Sheed backed Hickey to perform well against Gawn if given the big task again.
“I have faith Hick can do the job if Nic doesn’t play,” Sheed said.
“I’m sure it’s something he’d be looking forward to.”
West Coast will be without Jamie Cripps for several weeks after the goalsneak injured his groin against the Magpies.
But Jack Petruccelle has put his hand up to replace him after booting five goals in the WAFL.
IAP
Guest
Tom Hickey is a great player?....hahahahahaha
Klompy
Guest
That is so disappointing for Nick Naitanui. Just when he comes back for a Second knee, Now he has an ankle injury. Disappointing for him, the Teams and the fans. I am hoping not but these injuries just may derail the mighty Eagles premiership chances. I hope, not but I think it will. But no excuses.
Peter warrington
Guest
Tiges copped a couple late last year and I think lambert was out and back in 3?
User
Roar Rookie
Looks like it was in the same play when gov got cleaned up, sounds more likely unfortunate not the dew spray.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
If it is a syndesmosis injury ,that's ruled out Duggan for six weeks minimum. At least the same for NN. Can the surface spray have anything to do with it?
User
Roar Rookie
Not best news on a Monday hey man
Dean
Guest
The Eagles don't know the full extent either Matt, on the AFL website it is reported they will know more on the next 24-48 hours.
Sachit Dassanayake
Roar Rookie
God I hope this isn't true. He has had a horror run with injury and he's honestly one of my favourite players . . . well, who doesn't play for Essendon of course ;)
User
Roar Rookie
Hopefully not season ending, Craig vozzo cagey with timeline. DAMN
Eagles Supporter 2
Guest
Yeah maybe WCE, Oscar Allen is a good ruckman Teams this week will be IN WATERMAN PETRUCULLE OUT CRIPPS NAITANUI Gawn is going to be a hard task The thing with melbourne this year is Gawn has been better than ever but their midfield has no chemistry whatsoever and their skills haven't been great. So if yeo, shuey, sheed, redden, gaff have good games (win contested ball) it doesn't hugely have an impact
WCE
Roar Rookie
oh no! Tom Hickey is a great player but i dont think he can ruck all day. Vardy is Injured. Maybe bring in Keegan Brooksby for his debut ?