Naitanui to go under knife

Updated November 26, 2012 16:07:25

West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui will begin preseason preparations later than his Eagles team-mates after opting to undergo groin surgery in the off-season.

The 22-year-old, who was recognised with All-Australian selection in 2012, played through a groin complaint in the later rounds last season.

Naitanui, who has been on leave until this week, consulted a specialist on Wednesday after continuing to suffer discomfort during his off-season break.

He will go under the knife next week, the club said in a statement.

"Nic was managed in the latter stages of the 2012 season and, based on medical advice, we were hopeful that with a good rest period he would avoid the necessity for surgery," football operations manager Neale Daniher said.

"Because Nic was still sore after a lengthy period of rest, we booked an appointment for him to meet with a specialist today. As a result of that consultation, Nic will have surgery next week.

"We expect Nic to begin running early in the New Year and progress his recovery to be ready for the start of the season."

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted November 21, 2012 17:31:02

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We will win big battle: Naitanui

Updated May 22, 2012 15:52:10

The battle of the big men will be an intriguing contest in the Western Derby and Eagle Nic Naitanui insists he expects to get the better of Docker giant Aaron Sandilands.

Two of the better ruck pairs meet at Subiaco Oval where West Coast's Naitanui and Dean Cox will line up against Sandilands and Zac Clarke.

The 'Flying Fijian' is 10 centimetres shorter than Fremantle's 211cm Sandilands, but the man whose leaping ability was shown before a Perth Wildcats game in the preseason says he and Cox fear no one in the ruck.

"We're pretty confident when we go in there and we get pretty dirty when we do lose a tap," Naitanui said.

"We put the pressure on ourselves. We don't want to lose a tap, but it does happen. We go in there looking to win every stoppage and clear it pretty well so we'll be looking to do the same this weekend."

"I don't really try to nullify against anyone. I should win it against him - I'll be looking to win every single (hit-out).

"He's a bigger player, but there's always ways you can get around him. I'm pretty lucky I've got a bit of a leap, so I don't really look to nullify unless he is getting over the top.

"I always love playing against big Sandi because he's a big challenge, a big guy.

"Having Coxy alongside [gives me] a bit more confidence, so I'm ready to go. I look forward to opposing him and Zac Clarke as well. He's come a long way."

With the Dockers struggling in clearances against Hawthorn, despite Sandilands and Clarke dominating hit-outs, Naitanui is sure his side has the edge in the midfield.

"We'll be pretty confident that we can get a few of those taps and the boys can read them off myself and Coxy," he said.

"Our midfielders are developing pretty quickly. Guys like Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey and Andrew Gaff are racking up the numbers and doing pretty well.

"They've improved pretty quickly over the last two or three years so it'll be a good battle in there.

"[Fremantle] has got a bit of pace in there, guys like [Stephen] Hill who will try and break us open.

"We look forward to it. It's going to be a big challenge to everyone around the ground.

"They've come off a pretty big loss on the weekend and they'll be fired up."

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, perth-6000, fremantle-6160, wa

First posted May 22, 2012 15:52:10

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Naitanui leaps highest

Nic Naitanui of the Eagles wins a ruck contest against Geelong's Brad Ottens during the second preliminary final match at the MCG on September 24, 2011.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, geelong-3220, vic, perth-6000, wa, australia

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Naitanui cleared to play

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