Nic Naitanui has revealed his off-season injury woes should end in time for round one.
Osteitis pubis has blighted the ruckman through his career and kept him out of half of the Eagles’ poor 2013 season.
After surgery in 2012, Naitanui was treated with injections through 2013 which he said “didn’t really help”.
“My body kind of shut down… I was at the point where I couldn’t walk after games,” he said.
Frustrated with his spell on the sidelines and lack of fitness, Naitanui said instead of playing finals he sought a solution.
“I went and sought new advice around the country during the September period and found the best came from our club doctors,” he said.
“I’m feeling really good right now, happy with what the club’s put in place.”
The long recovery has included many sessions training alone but he has progressed to full training in recent weeks, saying he would be “looking to play games in the next couple of weeks”.
“I might play half a game then a full game after that, see how my body’s going – whatever will put me in good stead for round one,” he said.
Speaking at the launch of the AFL’s multicultural ambassador program, Naitanui said he shelved plans to wind down from the season’s rigours with teammates.
“As soon as the season finished I didn’t go away… I had plans to go to America but that went down the drain,” he said.
“You see photos, videos of the boys having a good time… but you’ve got to put it into perspective – do you want to play footy or do you want to go out and party?
“There’s plenty of time to party after your career.”
The Fijian-born player also revealed he was in talks with the club about extending his stay at the Eagles during the off-season.
“We’re trying to get that done as well,” he said.
West Coast play the Western Bulldogs in round one on March 23.