Sad rumour emerges after Nic Naitanui’s tough injury setback

Naitanui, 33, has been absent from the game this year due to ongoing Achilles soreness, an injury that has repeatedly delayed his return.

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The Eagles announced on Tuesday that Naitanui would consult with a specialist before deciding on the next course of action for managing his ongoing Achilles injury.

Notably, there was no mention of his expected comeback date. In late April, the club had hoped for Naitanui‘s return shortly after their bye week, but last week, the time frame was revised to 6-7 weeks away.

Vlahos, however, suggested that the three-time All-Australian player seemed at peace with the possibility of not playing again.

Speaking on SEN WA‘s The Run Home, Vlahos shared his observations.

“I don’t think Nic Naitanui will play again, I’ll say that,” he said.

“I saw him just before the game on the weekend, he was there with his young boy and partner and he just looked so content for me.

“I said, ‘how you going Nic’? He said he’s going okay, but it radiated to me that he’s not in a rush to get back and I think he’s almost resigned to the fact that football now is very unlikely for him.”

Having missed most of the previous year due to two knee injuries and undergoing minor surgery at the end of the season, Naitanui is currently under contract until the following year and has previously received the club‘s best and fairest award twice.

As the West Coast Eagles grapple with numerous injuries, Vlahos proposed that Bailey Williams, who has been consistently playing in the ruck position this year, is the likely solution.

“(West Coast should say) let‘s put our energy into Bailey Williams, let’s look to the draft and see what we can develop to support him, let’s set aside Nic Naitanui and his potential return to the team because it may not happen now,” Vlahos added.

Having played 213 games for the club since being drafted in 2008, Naitanui has not given any indications of retirement this year.

But Eagles coach Adam Simpson is adamant the 33-year-old, three-time All-Australian could make a “full recovery” and hasn’t played his last game in the AFL.

Simpson confirmed on Wednesday the dual best and fairest winner had been dealt a fresh blow after failing to play a game this season following Achilles soreness which troubled him over the pre-season.

Alarm bells were raised for West Coast fans on Tuesday when Naitanui’s return timeline was adjusted from six to seven weeks to “TBC” on the club’s injury list, with Simpson later confirming the three-time All-Australian would again be sidelined indefinitely.

“He was tracking okay, stagnated a little bit and we had a follow-up scan recently and it looks like he’s going to need surgery, so it’s time to pull the pin on the season,” Simpson said.