New West Coast Eagle Nathan Vardy feels he can be more than just a stop-gap for the injured Nic Naitanui in 2017 when he joins the Eagles next year.

Vardy, 25, was traded to the Eagles from Geelong for pick 72 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft and his immediate focus will be help filling the void left by Naitanui who will miss most of 2017 after undergoing a knee reconstruction.

The Eagles do have a fit Jonathan Giles ready to play while Scott Lycett underwent PCL surgery post-season but the club is confident he’ll be ready to go for round one next year.

Vardy says although the role is clear in the short-term, he feels he can play a strong part in the Eagles’ on-field success in a number of positions. 

“Obviously straight away there’s the injuries (to Naitanui and Lycett) which could probably hamper the year in 2017,” Vardy told 6PR.

“So they were looking for someone to come over for that role, but in saying that, they feel like their forwards are mostly just forwards and they’d like to get someone in there that can play that ruck/forward role.

“So once those other guys do come back there will (hopefully) still a spot for me somewhere, that’s probably where I think I play my best football, when I’m playing forward and can go into the ruck.

“Obviously that was pretty appealing to me, but also the chance to work with some of the players that they’ve got over there, but even Dean Cox in his role.

“He’s obviously a champion of the game and being able to have him mentor me to help mould my football was very appealing.”

While he has struggled with injury in the past, Vardy underwent a full medical with the Eagles and both the club and the young ruckman are very confident his body will not let him down in the future.

“All up, with NAB Challenge, VFL and AFL games I think it was about 19 games (last year),” Vardy said.

“I think definitely my body has turned the corner this year, I’ve obviously put a lot of work into it trying to get my injuries right.

“This year I’ve had the most confidence in it that I’ve had which is pleasing but I just couldn’t put in into playing form which is probably the frustrating part.

“Hopefully a fresh start and a fresh set of eyes over my body and my football is just what I need.”