When Nic Naitanui slipped on his All-Australian blazer after earning a place in the AFL team of the year for the second season in succession, he cast back to his darkest days when recovering from two knee reconstructions.

That he has been able to reach the pinnacle of the sport, selection among the elite of the elite two years on end, is testimony to work he put in as he recovered from serious injury.

In round 22, 2016 against Hawthorn at Subiaco Oval Naitanui’s knee gave way which kept him out for the entire 2017 campaign. He was vigilant with his recovery, even going to the US to seek specialised rehabilitation advice.

Sadly in round 17, 2018 against Collingwood at the MCG, he suffered a similar fate to the other knee which sidelined him until round 15, 2019. Again he put his head down, rebuilt the strength and muscle in an around his knee and have himself the best chance of a full recovery.

Validation for all that work has come through his All-Australian selections in the last two seasons and his first John Worsfold Medal as a the Eagles Club Champion last season, a feat he would be favoured to repeat when this year’s awards are announced on September 15.       

“It’s good knowing my body has been able to withstand a lot of knocks and I was able to play every game this year,” Naitanui said.

“The pressure that has been placed on it, two knees and going back-to-back All-Australian it takes away some of the doubt I had initially in my body when I first came back.

“I don’t really play for that stuff; it more acknowledges all the hard work I put in the rehab over the two or three years I had off. When you’re back playing footy, you kind of think it’s all worthwhile.

“But when you start playing good footy, it was beneficial and I did do the right thing.

“Most of the time it is one (ruckman in the AA team), to force them to pick two, you have had a pretty good season.

"Albeit we didn’t go as well as a team so personally I’m no happy with the season but I was able to play 22 games.”