West Coast captain Darren Glass has backed Nic Naitanui to return to form, saying there is no pressure on the star ruckman. Naitanui has been slow to build towards peak fitness and form after being blighted by groin injuries over the past 18 months. The 2012 All-Australian has taken just one mark in his past four matches, while he has failed to kick a goal during that period. AFL greats such as Tony Shaw, Scott Lucas, Brad Hardie and Garry Lyon have questioned Naitanuis effectiveness, especially in the wake of the Eagles three-match losing run. Lucas went as far as describing Naitanui as a great athlete but a poor footballer. Glass says it is wrong to measure Naitanuis output purely on stats, claiming the 23-year-old is building solidly and is still having an impact on matches. Internally theres not an issue, Glass said ahead of Sundays Derby against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval. We know hes building and hes got some more gears to go. We know the hard work hes putting in and the character that hes got and the preparation hes coming off, so internally theres no pressure coming on Nic. Its not always about kicks and stats and possessions and that sort of stuff. Were comfortable with where hes at. Naitanui will need every bit of his trademark leap this week when he confronts the Dockers 211-centimetre tall giant Aaron Sandilands in the ruck.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 09:45:27 +0000
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