It was the tap seen around the footy world, and Nic Naitanui says his sublime palm to Josh Kennedy was all part of their plan.
With West Coast trailing Geelong by eight points early in the final term, the Eagles needed some magic to break open an arm-wrestle of a contest.
Enter Naitanui and Kennedy.
At a stoppage 20m out from the Eagles’ goal, the star big men put their heads together and with a wink and a nod pieced together a plan that was perfectly executed.
Hitting the stoppage at speed, Kennedy arrived just in time to grab Naitanui’s deft tap before throwing the ball on his boot for an across-the-body snap that sailed through post-high as the Optus Stadium cauldron erupted.
“Big JK is in some good form at the moment and when a big forward is hungry for a goal he’ll find any way to get there,” Naitanui told 3AW.
“I gave him the little nod and he told me where to put it.
“It fell into his lap and he finished the goal, so he’s showing the little guys how to do it.”
Minutes later Jack Darling put the Eagles in front with a deadeye set shot, before Kennedy climbed high for a towering grab and fourth major to seal the deal in front of 26,211 delirious fans.
The champion forward now has 22 goals – including 15 in three games – to lead the race for a third Coleman Medal, but Naitanui’s electric form was all the rage post-game.
West Coast’s marquee man was labelled as “mesmerising” by Cats coach Chris Scott, and polled the perfect 10 AFL Coaches Association votes.
In typical style, Naitanui heaped praise on his teammates for delivering a fifth-straight triumph after reeling in Geelong’s 22-point lead.
“That felt really good. They (Geelong) restricted us a fair bit and they defended really well,” he said.
“I thought the boys played a really good, contested brand in that second half. Guys like Luke Shuey and Elliot Yeo and our mids just really put their heads over the footy.
“Even though they denied us some of our uncontested footy, we found a way through that hard in and under stuff.”
The Eagles have two matches left at Optus Stadium against Carlton and Hawthorn before the next block of yet-to-be-revealed fixtures and are keen to make the most of playing in front of their fans.
“It’s awesome being at home in your own surroundings,” Naitanui said.
“We’ll enjoy it while we can with a crowd here, but I dare say we’ll be moving again in a few weeks.
“It’s pretty uncertain times with what’s happening in the general public at the moment, so we’re lucky enough to be able to be playing footy.
“If we’ve got to travel we’ll do so. Some of the teams that haven’t been home for longer than we have … we’ve all got to do it for the sake of football. We’re happy to go.”
