The two-time reigning Club Champion’s absence for a large chunk of the season was a hammer blow for West Coast, on top of a significant number of injuries to other key players,
Naitanui made only three appearances before going down with a left knee injury in the dying stages of an epic round four road win over Collingwood, which kept him out of AFL action until round 16 at the MCG against Richmond.
The superstar ruck hurt his other knee the following round against Carlton and bravely pushed through three more games.
However, Naitanui was clearly labouring in the round 22 RAC Derby and was subsequently ruled out of the final round trip to Geelong before undergoing minor knee surgery.
Signed a two-year contract extension last month which will see him through to his 16th year in blue and gold.
Standout performance: Bouncing back with a bang
After one game back in the WAFL – when Naitanui dominated with 17 disposals, two goals and 26 hitouts – the talismanic Eagle flew east to face the Tigers at the home of football and was instrumental in one of West Coast’s better performances for the year.
Naitanui only played 69 per cent game time but was a huge influence around the contest with 19 touches, 26 hitouts, six clearances and half-a-dozen inside 50s.
His left-footed snap for goal from 40m in the second term was astounding, and Naitanui received the maximum 15 votes from the coaches in the John Worsfold Medal for his huge comeback performance.
Season averages
Disposals – 13.1
Contested possessions – 11.4
Hitouts to advantage – 9.1
Clearances – 5.6
Score launches – 3.1
