Explosive West Coast star Nic Naitanui is in tip-top condition and could prove to be an even bigger weapon in shortened matches this season, according to veteran teammate Shannon Hurn.

Plagued by knee and ankle issues in recent years, Naitanui was able to complete an intensive pre-season before playing a key role in the Eagles’ round one victory going up against Melbourne giant Max Gawn.

With another two-and-a-half months of training – both in isolation and more recently with teammates – under his belt, Hurn believes Naitanui could be primed for an influential campaign.

The spring-heeled big man is set to duel Gold Coast captain Jarrod Witts in round two and it remains to be seen whether Adam Simpson also selects another recognised ruck or opts for a pinch-hitter in a more mobile line-up.

“That will be Simmo and the coaches, that’s one of the challenges they have (picking the team),” Hurn said from the Gold Coast on Wednesday.

“The beauty is we could do both. We could have (Tom) Hickey or (Nathan) Vardy easily come and ruck with Nic, or Nic could do it himself and pinch-hit somehow.

“I don’t have a gut feel. Obviously it gets spoken about the games are shorter, so yes Nic will be able to play more game time, but I’m not sure how that will pan out.”

Hurn believed Naitanui’s fitness base would help him to get through more training between games and aid the 201cm and 110kg dynamo’s ability to produce inspirational repeat efforts he is renowned for.

“He covers the ground pretty well, has his explosiveness, so I think he can do more repeat efforts and that’s what he prides himself on, especially in around the ground taking some marks and competing,” Hurn said.

“I think he’s in the best condition he’s be in for a while, especially with the injuries he’s had.

“Unfortunately we’ve only been able to play one game but he’s been able to get five months of training into him, so I think he’s going to be in good stead.”

It has been a different build up to round two, involving settling into Royal Pines Resort for the rest of June, but Hurn was confident the Eagles’ maturity would help them handle the unusual circumstances and quick ramp up from returning to training and playing in a matter of weeks.

“I think so, yes, and also you can bank on the experiences you’ve had throughout your career,” he said.

“Everyone likes to get heaps of training in, practice games in, make sure you’re really feeling positive and confident – we haven’t been able to do that.

“Now it’s just going to be about all that work you’ve done in previous years with your training.

“It is the same for everyone, but I think the more football or sport you’ve played the more you can draw on those type of experiences.”