West Coast holds a slim hope star ruckman Nic Naitinui can return to play finals this season after suffering, what looked at the time, a season-ending syndesmosis injury to his right ankle in the round 17 loss to Collingwood at Optus Stadium.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson said in a recent television interview Naitinui was massively important to the ability of the reigning premiers to win possession from stoppages and apply follow-up pressure.
Stephen Michael (centre) in 1981 after winning his second Sandover Medal with a record 37 votes over Phil Narkle (left) and Jim Krakouer (right).
Although they were able to successfully cover the loss of Naitinui last year to claim the premiership, Simpson and his brain's trust know their chances of a repeat performance will significantl improve if Naitinui can get on the park in time for finals.
Naitanui is not the best or most talented player in the AFL; that honour could belong to a number of his contemporaries: Patrick Dangerfield, Nat Fyfe, Dustin Martin, Tim Kelly, Patrick Cripps, Marcus Bontempelli or a fit and firing Lance Franklin.
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But when it comes to how much a team needs a particular player on the ground to implement its game plan or play a particular style, Naitanui is numero uno.
Through his excellent ruck work, Naitanui more often than not gives his midfielders – Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Elliott Yeo, Dom Sheed and Jack Redden – first use at stoppages.
Just as important is Naitanuis follow-up work at contests, which allows the Eagles to move the ball forward to create territorial advantage and more opportunities for their star-studded forward line.
His follow-up work and linkage with West Coast's elite midfielders is the best Ive seen since Stephen Michael, the South Fremantle legend, was running around the paddock in the 70s and 80s.
There are many similarities between Naitanui and Michael but there are also differences.
Michael, who arguably was the first of the great mobile ruckmen who played more like a ruck rover, came up from Kojonup to play with South Fremantle in 1975. By the time he hung up his boots at the end of the 1985 season, he had played 243 games and kicked 231 goals.
He was a member of South Fremantle's 1980s premiership team and was club fairest and best in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1983, a dual winner of the Sandover Medal (1980/81), Simpson Medallist for the best player in the 1983 interstate clash between WA and SA and the winner of the 1983 Tassie Medal as best player across the nation at State of Origin level.
Nic Naitanui's ability to take possession after a ruck contest is a massive advantage for West Coast.
Michael was named captain of the 1983 All-Australian Team, inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 1999, selected in the Indigenous Team of the Century in 2005 and earlier this year was elevated to 'Legend Status' in the WA Football Hall of Fame.
He is considered one of the best players never to play in the VFL/AFL and resisted numerous attempts from clubs to move to Victoria due to his loyalty for the South Fremantle Football Club.
Naitanui, apart from All-Australian selection in 2012 and mark of the year in 2015, has not achieved the individual honours bestowed on Michael, nor does he have the durability and "luck" with injury that Michael enjoyed.
The South Fremantle champion holds the WAFL record for the most consecutive league games with 217, while Naitanui missed the entire 2017 season due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in round 22 of the 2016 season.
He came back in 2018, playing probably his best football since his 2012 All-Australian accolade, but in round 17 suffered another ACL against Collingwood, missing the finals and grand final victory.
He returned to the Eagles in round 15 this season against Hawthorn at the MCG but in his third game back, once again against the Pies, he suffered an ankle injury when Jeremy McGovern fell on him as both players were going for a high ball against an opponent.
Michael was not a tall ruckman, standing 188cm (6ft 2in) and weighing in with a playing weight of 90kg. But he had a massive presence on the field with his great leap, mobility and hardness.
In comparison, Naitanui stands 201cm (6ft 7in), with a playing weight of 110kg. His height and bulk, along with his massive leap and great mobility, ensures his impact is noticeable and significant.
West Coast's midfielders seem to have an extra spring in their step when Naitanui is playing, enjoying the ball being presented on a platter through the tap work of their imposing ruckman.
Michael also had the ability to bring his smaller teammates into the game with his elite ruck work but the taller Naitanui probably shades Michael when it comes to tap work at stoppages.
While Naitanui has taken some incredible marks, including his 2015 screamer when he jumped high in a pack against Geelong at Subiaco Oval, Michael was the more consistent high marking ruckman.
In fact, Michaels weekly performances were more consistent than Naitanui's so far. Michael was a better all-round footballer than the Eagles champion, reading the game better than Naitanui does. He was nearly always in the game, while there have been moments in matches when Naitanui goes missing, although he has improved in this department as his AFL career developed.
Michael was a naturally talented footballer and a good athlete. Naitanui is a naturally talented athlete who excelled at track and field, particularly high jump, and a good footballer.
The end result is the same: both outRead More – Source
