Eagles confirm the worst as knee scans rule Nic Naitanui out for the season
West Coast Eagles star ruckman Nic Naitanui is facing another year out of the game after tests confirmed he needs another knee reconstruction.
Naitanui injured his right knee when he landed awkwardly in a ruck contest against Collingwood's Brodie Grundy during Sunday's big 35-point win at the MCG.
The ruckman immediately grabbed for his knee after landing, before leaving the ground.
Coach Adam Simpson confirmed Naitanui will miss the rest of the season, after scans revealed an ACL tear.
It is the second time the 28-year-old has had to undergo knee reconstruction surgery, after he suffered the same injury to his left knee against Hawthorn late in 2016 and missed the entire 2017 season.
His return to the Eagles at the beginning of 2018 has helped propel the side to premiership contention, sitting at second spot on the ladder after 17 rounds.
"It's been a tough trot for him," Eagles midfielder Luke Shuey said.
"He's a tough unit, he put on a brave face."
Shuey said the 2012 All-Australian had tried to keep the mood positive in the rooms after the game.
"He was obviously a bit ginger and sore, but he's a great clubman, he wanted to be in good spirits, we'd had a great win so he didn't want to bring the mood down at all," he said.
Naitanui made his long-awaited return to the AFL during this year's pre-season before going on to play his 150th game.
Simpson, players feel for Naitanui
Speaking yesterday after the Magpies clash, Eagles coach Adam Simpson could barely contain his emotions.
"Your heart breaks a bit if [an ACL injury] is the case. It's his other knee. It's one of those things that words can't describe," he said.
"He's not dying, he's not dead, he's still the same person, so just, unfortunately, we may have lost him for another season."
Simpson described his emotions as being "all over the shop" as a result of Naitanui's injury.
"I didn't handle it very well," he said.
"[But] we're all human, and as part of the footy club environment and spirit and all that sort of stuff, to show your emotions — there's nothing wrong with that."
Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury and Brisbane midfielder Mitch Robinson were among the players who also extended a sympathetic hand to Naitanui on social media.
External Link: Scott Pendlebury tweet: Not the result we wanted today, Eagles 2 good for us. Wishing Nic Nat all the best and I hope its good news from all at CFC External Link: Mitch Robinson tweet: Just watched the @NicNat incident, hoping for the best!!
Naitanui had only missed one game this season, through suspension, and was producing performances on par with his play during the 2015 season, when the Eagles made it to the grand final before going down to Hawthorn.
He was averaging 30 hit-outs and four tackles per game, despite spending significantly less playing time on the field.
In 2015, Naitanui averaged 75 per cent of game time on the field, while this season the club has limited the 201-centimetre ruckman to just 57 per cent.
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