Eagles ruck Nic Naitanui told to get physical after Bombers loss

When West Coast star Nic Naitanui crunched Karl Amon last month, the savage nature of the tackle prompted much debate.

West Coast’s Nic Naitanui contests a ruck with Essendon’s Tom Bellchambers at Optus Stadium on Thursday night. Picture: Getty Images

When West Coast star Nic Naitanui crunched Karl Amon last month, the savage nature of the tackle prompted much debate.

The star Eagle was subsequently suspended for a week amid the prospect that footballers now needed to consider the weight and height of an opponent when ­attempting to tackle.

There was widespread bewilderment at the time but Naitanui vowed to continue using his physical attributes when playing.

But the criticism has come full circle: the All Australian was targeted during last Thursday’s shock loss to Essendon for failing to use his strength and weight enough.

Former champions Jonathan Brown and Nick Riewoldt urged the 28-year-old ruckman to be more physical when going for marks. They believe that by adopting a more aggressive approach, he will either mark the ball more frequently or benefit his teammates by bringing the football to ground more regularly.

The criticism surprised the Eagle. “I feel like I do throw my weight around,” Naitanui said.

“When you’re doing really well, everyone is on your side.

“But when you’re not doing too well, everyone jumps on you straight away.”

Naitanui’s form this season is in line with that produced over the majority of his career. Marking has never been a strength, despite his size, but he is laying more tackles than ever before.

The Eagles have dropped their two matches following the bye to slip from first to third and Naitanui said there were areas of concern for the team as they sought to earn a home qualifying final.

But he said there was no reason to panic ahead of a clash against the Crows in Adelaide on Saturday.

“It’s not like we’re sitting on the bottom of the ladder, playing terrible football,” he said. “We have obviously got a lot to work on.”

In the infancy of his comeback, the Eagles have restricted the amount of time Naitanui has spent on the field and in the ruck.

But he feels the prolonged build-up has been valuable as he reaches peak match fitness.

“For me, it’s getting back into footy and the rigours of it,” he said.

“It is taxing every week, getting knocked around and up and down, but it’s something I haven’t had for 18 months, so I’m still progressing and feeling pretty good.”

The Eagles’ forward structure faltered last week without Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling and it is likely West Coast will again be without the pair against Adelaide.

Debutant Jarrod Brander was tried against Sydney and Fraser McInnes was called on for the clash against Essendon.

The latter had his chances but was less than accurate in front of goal for the Eagles, kicking three behinds.

Veteran forward Mark LeCras, who has enjoyed a good start to the season, is believed to have injured a wrist in the loss against Essendon.