West Coast coach John Worsfold says there’s zero chance of a rival AFL side poaching Nic Naitanui while the star ruckman is still contracted to the Eagles.
Outgoing Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy rocked the boat earlier this week when he claimed he would trade an entire year of draft picks to snare Naitanui.
Sheedy won’t have the chance to test the waters on that front given he’ll be replaced by Leon Cameron after this season.
But even if Sheedy did manage to stay at the helm, his bid to snare Naitanui is doomed to fail.
Naitanui is contracted to the Eagles until the end of 2014, and Worsfold said there was no way the club would consider trading the All-Australian, who kicked the match-winning goal in last week’s triumph over North Melbourne.
“While he’s contracted here, it’s not in our plans for any of that to change. That’s the short answer,” Worsfold said on Wednesday.
“Nic’s a wonderful young man, level headed with great values. We’re very lucky to have that package here.”
The Giants have used Naitanui’s image to promote Saturday’s clash between the two sides at Skoda Stadium.
And such is Sheedy’s admiration for Penrith-born Naitanui, the master coach even wrote the 23-year-old an open letter on Wednesday praising his football skills and role in promoting diversity in the game.
“From the moment you set foot on an AFL field, you captured the public’s imagination with your extraordinary athleticism, prodigious leap and ability to provide dazzling moments like last weekend,” Sheedy wrote on the Giants’ website.
“Our game needs stars and you are truly one of those.
“But what I also like about you is the way you go about your football and your life.
“There is a youthful energy and freshness to your approach.
“I only wish you had never left Western Sydney and had played for the Giants.
“I even suggested this week that perhaps we should give up all our draft picks this year to get you.
“I know I’ve said some out-there things in my time, but it may not be as crazy as it first seems.”
Sheedy joked he would curb Naitanui’s influence on Saturday by organising a giant net to catch him whenever he leaped in the air.
The Eagles (4-4) will be without midfielder Sharrod Wellingham (ankle) and defender Will Schofield (finger) this week, paving the way for veteran wingman Andrew Embley and backman Mitch Brown to return.