NIC NAT KNEE NOT LOOKING GOOD: EAGLES
WEST Coast can win at the MCG. But can the Eagles win the premiership without Nic Nat?
Yesterday was a classic case of winning the battle but potentially losing the war, with fears Naitanui sustained a serious injury to his “good” right knee.
Naitanui, who missed the 2017 season after injuring his left knee, left the field midway through the second term against the Magpies.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson revealed the club was fearing he may have suffered another serious blow.
“It doesn’t look great for his other knee,” Simpson said.
The Eagles star will have scans in the coming days to reveal the full extent of the injury.
The Eagles commanded so much respect in the premiership race by emerging as the chief challenger to Richmond but if the Naitanui fears are confirmed today, much will hinge on ruck understudy Scott Lycett.
Lycett, 25, is a restricted free agent and suddenly the importance of his signature might climb a list topped by marking machine Jeremy McGovern and ball magnet Andrew Gaff.
But the key learning from yesterday’s 35-point upset of Collingwood was that the Eagles can bring their form along with their footy boots when they jump on an aeroplane.
It was West Coast’s first win at the MCG against Collingwood since Round 2, 1995 – predating the birth of five Eagles.
With Mason Cox a late withdrawal, it was a battle of the quick birds and the big birds. For the first 10 minutes it played out like an advertisement for the TAC. Speed kills, and the Pies had plenty of it.
The Pies raced out to a 20-0 lead but after the early blitz, the Eagles took control, piling on 15 of the final 21 goals to win 15.12 (102) to 9.13 (67). –