Nic Naitanui signs new deal with West Coast Eagles for three years amid latest AFL comeback
Nic Naitanui is almost certain to end his AFL career as a one-club player after signing a new three-year contract with the West Coast Eagles.
The deal is expected to see the ruckman, who has played just 30 games since the Eagles competed in the 2015 grand final against Hawthorn, finish his career in Perth.
It is thought to be a large reduction on Naitanui’s previous contract, with West Coast accounting for the 29-year-old’s recent injury issues.
Naitanui has launched his comeback from a second major knee reconstruction, required after he hurt his right knee in the round 17 game last year against Collingwood.
He made his return to football yesterday in the WAFL, playing for West Coast’s new reserves team.
Naitanui is expected to return to the Eagles’ senior side next week against Hawthorn.
Before going down last year, he had managed to play 15 games following his recovery from a left knee injury which forced him out of the entire 2017 season.
‘Entirely focused on my return’: Naitanui
The Eagles confirmed in June they had offered the 2012 All-Australian a new contract, and Naitanui has now accepted it, tying him to the club until the end of the 2022 season.
It’s certainly a comfort to have the contract completed,” Naitanui told West Coast’s website.
“My management team has been negotiating the contract extension behind the scenes while I have been entirely focused on my return.
“I knew that was going on in the background, but for me it has been more about getting back to play footy. It’s really exciting.
“The club has been very good to me throughout my career and I’m looking forward to playing my part in the second half of the season and in the coming years.”
Naitanui would have become an unrestricted free-agent at the end of this season and been free to join any club, but whether there were any competing offers is unclear.
Eagles set to manage Naitanui’s workload
The Swan Districts product’s return to elite level football has been of ongoing interest, with his impact last year surprising many as he was instrumental in helping the Eagles to a 10-game unbeaten streak.
Naitanui managed just 50 per cent match time following his last return from injury and a similar workload is expected this time around.
It means fellow ruckmen Tom Hickey and Nathan Vardy, who have covered Naitanui’s absence this season, will battle for the second tall position.
Vardy has been strong in the ruck but has struggled in games when he has played as the third tall in attack, while Hickey has been solid in his first season at the Eagles.
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