No fears for Nic Nat ahead of AFL return

West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui made a strong comeback in the WAFL last Saturday and he's looking forward to his AFL return this weekend.

Nic Naitanui

Nic Naitanui played for West Coast's WAFL team as he nears a return to the AFL after injury. (AAP)

West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui says he will have no fears when he makes his highly-anticipated AFL return in Saturday's clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson confirmed on Monday that Naitanui will be named against the Hawks.

Naitanui tore the ACL in his right knee in his previous appearance at the MCG - a round 17 win over Collingwood last year.

The 29-year-old made a successful playing return in the WAFL last Saturday, tallying 10 disposals, 25 hitouts, four tackles, and three marks in 64 minutes of action.

Naitanui pulled up with the expected general soreness after that game, but it won't stop him from fronting the Hawks.

The 2012 All-Australian has now undergone a reconstruction on each knee, but says he holds no fears ahead of his latest return.

"It would be really exciting to get back out there. A feeling of elation as well," Naitanui said.

"(The MCG) is where I did my knee last time.

"I don't think I will have any fears of the ground or the opposition at all, it will be more so just a bit of excitement to be back out there playing footy.

"These guys train me pretty hard behind closed doors. Playing a game is probably the least of my worries.

"And getting injured in a game - they whack me enough here at training. So not fearful at all."

Naitanui doesn't believe he's lost any of his trademark leap, and he's looking forward to taking advantage of the AFL's new 6-6-6 rule.

"I still think I can jump just as well as in the past," Naitanui said.

"My recent knee I had done was my right one. I jump off my left leg, so I don't think it's going to change too much."

Naitanui made a stunning return from his first knee reconstruction, and hopes are high he can repeat that effort.

West Coast will play two ruckmen while Naitanui works his way back to full fitness, with Tom Hickey the favourite to get the nod ahead of Nathan Vardy.

Naitanui signed a three-year contract extension on Sunday, tying him to the Eagles until the end of 2022.

The 161-game veteran was thankful for the show of faith from the club, given he now has two "compromised knees".

"I think I've still got a lot of good footy ahead of me," Naitanui said.

West Coast will welcome back Willie Rioli from suspension against the Hawks, but Jeremy McGovern will miss unless the Eagles can successfully overturn his one-match ban at the AFL tribunal.


Share
3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world