Simpson gives Nic a pass mark
West Coast coach Adam Simpson says he hopes Nic Naitanui’s mark-of-the-year contender in yesterday’s 56-point thumping of Geelong at Domain Stadium will finally satisfy the ruckman’s critics.
Naitanui was best afield as the Eagles overcame their wastefulness in front of goal during the first half to post a sixth successive victory, triumphing 16.24 (120) to 10.4 (64).
MISSED GOALS DON'T WORRY SIMPSON
The 25-year-old capitalised on injuries to Geelong ruck pair Mitch Clark and Rhys Stanley to produce his best game of the year, finishing with a season-high 17 disposals, seven clearances, 36 hit-outs and two goals.
His second major came directly from a towering pack grab early in the final quarter where he climbed on teammate Callum Sinclair’s shoulders to issue a significant statement to those critical of his low marking numbers.
The final margin flattered the Cats as Eagles spearhead Josh Kennedy kicked six goals to extend his lead in the Coleman Medal race.
The win strengthened West Coast’s grip on second spot, with the Eagles now facing a faltering North Melbourne (away) and Essendon (home) in the next fortnight in a stretch that could set up a serious tilt at a top-four spot.
Nic Naitanui brings Domain Stadium to its feet with his eye-catching mark. Pics: Michael Wilson/WA News
Simpson said Naitanui was starting to show the benefits of his first full pre-season in four years.
“People might not shut up, but (they should) quieten up a little bit about him taking marks,” Simpson said.
“When he takes marks like that and kicks a really important goal he obviously has a big influence on a game, but he’s always contributed with his contested ball and his clearances for most of the part of the year.
“It was a pretty good mark. I reckon he had a look at City Beach there for a while.
“For me it was more the conversion to be honest. We couldn’t kick goals and when he took that grab it was important that he went back and kicked it.”
The hosts had threatened to blow their inside-50 dominance by kicking 2.11 in the second quarter.
West Coast had been one of the competition’s most accurate teams this season heading into the clash with a 62 per cent conversion rate.
Simpson praised his team’s growing maturity for working through their goal kicking woes.
“It’s frustrating, but I wasn’t as frustrated as I have been in the past,” Simpson said.
“We were doing a lot of good things, a lot of things right. We just couldn’t finish off.”
Geelong slumped to 12th spot, with fresh injury concerns surrounding Clark (calf) and Stanley (quad) after both were sidelined either side of half time.
Cats coach Chris Scott said the fact neither player could return to the field was not a good sign.
“Mitch is a player that we’re on a record saying we’re not going to take risks with,” Scott said.
