The rise and rise of ruckman Nic Naitanui continued on Saturday as West Coast strolled to a 100-point thumping of AFL cellar dwellers Greater Western Sydney at Showground Stadium.
GWS coach Kevin Sheedy spent all week talking up Naitanui’s exploits in the press, looking to use the Penrith-born excitement machine as a promotional weapon.
Naitanui delivered with a dazzling display of tap work that teammate Dean Cox, a six-time All Australian ruckman, labelled phenomenal.
Of concern for rival big men, the 23-year-old is still not fully fit after pre-season groin surgery forced him to miss the opening five rounds.
“The key thing is he’s building his time in the middle,” Eagles coach John Worsfold said after Naitanui recorded 31 hitouts, eight more than GWS managed as a team.
“We would expect his match fitness will build over the next 3-4 weeks again. At the moment we’re still certainly trying to manage his game time.
“But less and less that becomes an issue.”
Cox, also one of the Eagles’ best in the 23.17 (155) to 8.7 (55) victory that lifted them into the top eight, was in awe.
“He’s a pretty amazing talent,” Cox said.
“Nic has the ability to build those freakish things he does in games for sustained periods. Once he builds that fitness base and does a number of pre-seasons, and still continues to learn (he’ll improve).
“It does take ruckmen a fair bit of time … hopefully he maintains the way he’s playing and gets better for the rest of his career.”
Naitanui also chipped in with eight tackles and two goals, including a spectacular snap in the second quarter, to be best afield.
His ruck work created goals, clearances and no shortage of brilliant service to Eagles midfielders Chris Masten, Luke Shuey, Daniel Kerr and Matt Priddis – who had a combined tally of 114 possessions.
The hosts missed veteran Dean Brogan, a late withdrawal due to back spasms.
Late inclusion Setanta O’hAilpin tried to help Jonathan Giles in the ruck, but Naitanui danced around him with ease and the Irishman was substituted out at halftime.
“Each decade or two has a freaky sort of player that actually changes the landscape of the game,” Sheedy said of Naitanui, comparing him to Carl Ditterich and Jim Stynes.
“He’s such a damn good tap of the ball.”
The Eagles had essentially pocketed the four premiership points at the major break, with a 66-point lead the result of a 93-point first half – their highest-scoring opening two terms since the corresponding fixture last year.
The absence of GWS co-captain Phil Davis (back) was again glaring, with key forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling kicking five goals each for West Coast.
The Eagles’ only sour note was an accidental head knock for on-baller Bradd Dalziell, who was substituted out of the game early with concussion.
