Eagles ace Naitanui to face Dockers
West Coast will finally unleash ruckman Nic Naitanui in a competitive game this week, with the 2012 All Australian named to face Fremantle in Thursday’s practice match at Patersons Stadium.
Naitanui has been kept in cotton wool since ongoing groin issues saw him held back for the final rounds of last season.
He did not play in either of the club’s NAB Challenge matches but is scheduled to play in an intra-club match with East Perth next week to further build his case for a round-one berth.
Both West Coast and Fremantle have named strong squads for Thursday’s practice match, with Dockers star Nat Fyfe named to return after sitting out the club’s NAB Challenge match against Western Bulldogs last week with a corked leg.
Colin Sylvia is not in the squad after suffering a head knock at training next week and is looking increasingly likely to start the season in the WAFL after moving west from Melbourne as a free agent in the offseason.
The match is set to kick off at 4.40pm on Thursday and thewest.com.au will be on hand to provide full coverage with a live chat.
WEST COAST
1. Mitch Brown, 2. Mark LeCras, 3. Andrew Gaff, 4. Dom Sheed, 5. Brad Sheppard, 6. Elliot Yeo, 7. Chris Masten, 9. Nic Naitanui, 11. Matt Priddis, 12. Sharrod Wellingham, 13. Luke Shuey, 15. Jamie Cripps, 16. Eric Mackenzie, 17. Josh Kennedy, 18. Xavier Ellis, 20. Dean Cox, 21. Brant Colledge, 22. Callum Sinclair, 23. Darren Glass, 24. Matt Rosa, 25. Shannon Hurn, 27. Jack Darling, 29. Scott Lycett, 31. Will Schofield, 33. Josh Hill, 34. Mark Hutchins, 44. Jamie Bennell
FREMANTLE
1.Hayden Ballantyne, 3. Zac Dawson, 6. Danyle Pearce, 7. Nat Fyfe, 8. Nick Suban, 9. Matt de Boer, 10. Michael Walters, 11. Tommy Sheridan, 13. Tendai Mzungu, 15. Ryan Crowley, 16. David Mundy, 17. Hayden Crozier, 18. Luke McPharlin, 20. Matt Taberner, 21. Michael Barlow, 23. Chris Mayne, 24. Max Duffy, 27. Lachie Neale, 29. Matthew Pavlich, 31. Aaron Sandilands, 32. Stephen Hill, 33. Cam Sutcliffe, 34. Lee Spurr, 37. Michael Johnson, 38. Jack Hannath, 41. Paul Duffield, 46. Clancee Pearce
