Nic Naitanui says a clean bill of health, a stint in the coaches’ box and guidance from an former teammate all contributed to his maiden John Worsfold Medal win at last night’s Club Champion Awards.

The two-time All Australian ruckman edged indefatigable midfielder Andrew Gaff by just two votes to claim the club’s highest individual honour for the first time.

It was a stunning result for the marquee big man, whose previous best finish in the best and fairest count was fifth all the way back in 2010.

Speaking to the media after last night’s formalities, Naitanui said there were myriad factors that helped him produce arguably the best season of his 12-year career.

But the most important by far was his fitness.

In 2020 Naitanui played a total of 17 games, his most since 2015 (23 matches) when he steered the Eagles to their sixth grand final appearance.

“I don’t think too much has changed (in my game), I’ve just been able to be out there more often,” Naitanui noted.

“I didn’t have surgery at the end of last year which helped.

“I played every game bar one, which I think is a testament to our medical group. For them to be able to get me out on the park and play every weeks was massive.

“I think it was my most consistent season.”

Interestingly, Naitanui believed the time he spent on the sidelines – or more specifically in the coaches’ box – while rehabilitating his second ACL injury in 2018 contributed to his stellar 2020 campaign.

He spent most of that year mentoring teammates Scott Lycett and Nathan Vardy, which he said helped him view the position and its function from a different perspective.

“I think spending that time in the coaches’ box for a couple of years as well helped me pick up some little tricks that I could use when I did come back to playing footy,” he said.

“I think (I have) more ruck smarts now. (There’s) more substance to how I ruck.”

Naitanui also sang the praises of former teammate and coach Dean Cox, who he said proved that rucking was not just a young man’s game.

The 30-year-old revealed that he still called on Cox for advice about his ruck craft.

“I was lucky that I got to see Dean Cox late in his career,” Naitanui said.

“Coxy got slower and a bit wider, but he found ways to trick his opponents and outwork and outsmart them as a ruckman.

“He’s someone I still speak to every couple of weeks for some of his ruck knowledge, but also how to deter others or how to combat others that try and nullify you on game day.

“That’s going to continue to help me for the last few years of playing footy.”