Naitanui in uphill battle to win selection
Sep 11, 2017 - 5:33 PM West Coast coach Adam Simpson faces the toughest selection call of his AFL career when he weighs up whether to hand Nic Naitanui a dream finals recall.The Eagles are just one win away from reaching the preliminary final after Luke Shuey's after-the-siren goal sunk Port Adelaide last week.
West Coast will start as underdogs in Saturday night's semi-final showdown with GWS at Spotless Stadium.
But the Eagles' victory hopes were given a massive double boost on Monday when star Giants duo Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) and Shane Mumford (fractured foot) were ruled out for the rest of the finals.
Mumford's absence will leave a massive void in the ruck, with former Cat Dawson Simpson set to be handed the task of filling the void.
Naitanui hasn't played since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during their round 22 win over Hawthorn in 2016.
If it wasn't for an early setback in his rehabilitation, Naitanui would have probably returned to playing duties by now.
The 2012 All-Australian has looked the goods at training in recent times, and the Eagles have left the door slightly ajar for Naitanui to be picked this week.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson was giving little away when asked about Naitanui's chances on Monday, saying the topic will be discussed later in the week.
"He's still on the comeback trail," Simpson told Perth radio station 6PR.
"If he plays, he's not going to be able to play a match beforehand.
"So we've got to make sure he's fully ready for 70-minutes plus of combative finals football."
Former Docker Paul Hasleby said West Coast should stick with the ruck combination of Nathan Vardy and Drew Petrie.
"I don't think there's a need at this point of time to bring him (Naitunui) into the squad," Hasleby told Perth radio station 6PR.
"I reckon they've got the best ruck combination of the finals series so far.
"Vardy was outstanding. And Drew Petrie - what about what he's been able to do this year.
"He's filled every role they've required him to fulfil to perfection.
"I don't think they need to change it. They destroyed Paddy Ryder on the weekend with the way they played.
"So with Mumford out, I would not take the risk to go with Nic Naitanui."
Source: AAP
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