West Coast have suffered a massive blow as news has emerged star ruckman Nic Naitanui could miss up to eight weeks of the new season as he returns from groin surgery.
Naitanui bravely played through the pain of a groin injury late last year as he earned a position in the 2012 All Australian side.
Club medical officials initially thought the issue would be solved by rest but the Eagles eventually sent the 22-year-old to have surgery, severely de-railing his pre-season.
Speaking on Tuesday night, West Coast assistant Justin Longmuir confirmed Naitanui was a long way off resuming full training after the ruckman was seen at last week's session still walking with a noticeable limp,
"He's just started running again, so he's a long way behind the rest of the group," Longmuir told Perth radio station ''SportFM''.
"And, we'll take a really cautious approach with him," he added, referring to the club's poor recent history with groin injuries, where the Eagles ran the risk of playing skipper Darren Glass and ruckman Dean Cox, only to see the pair ruled out for long periods.
"(So) if he (Naitanui) comes up for Round 1 that will be great, but we've got the cover if he doesn't come up for Round 1.''
The cover Longmuir was referring to was newly recruited former VFL ruckman Callum Sinclair and emerging Eagles' big man Scott Lycett, who has played three games so far.
Lycett has found it difficult to break into the side with Cox and Naitanui - widely regarded as the competition's premier ruck division - ahead of him.
But Longmuir believes Lycett can also form an effective partnership with Cox if he's needed over the first two months of 2013.
"He's really come of age this pre-season, he's training the house down,'' Longmuir said.
"Hopefully he can take his game to a new level.''
Along with Naitanui, Daniel Kerr (knee) and Beau Waters (hip) are expected to miss this year's NAB Cup competition, although forwards Mark LeCras (knee) and Mark Nicoski (hamstring) should be back in action after missing all of the 2012 campaign.
3 Comments
I think this wont hurt the Eagles all that much...in terms of big men, the Eagles are DEEP..Lycett could be the number 1 ruck for at least 10 other clubs, and he's developing as a pretty good tall option up front as well, why' you think we only offered Lynchy one year and didnt shed any tears when he went east??..
Replywhy arnt you laughing condom normally you enjoy this short of thing. Not so funny now im guessing. suck #$%$
Replywhat eva mate ur all talk and not even good talk did you think of wegirls and fleo dorkers by your self or did it take a brain trust? what part of the 1st world are you from?...wanker try supporting a team instead of putting others down im not from freo im from ellenbrook if you want to come visit we can talk about this i will bring my hands and im sure i will have a good time
1 Reply