Champion West Coast Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui proved his fitness at today’s main training session and will play against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.
Naitanui and small forward Willie Rioli are the only definite inclusions as the Eagles head towards at least four changes for the match in south-east Queensland, the longest road trip in the AFL.
While they are confirmed starters in a clash that will see Andrew Gaff play his 250th game, there will be further inclusions as goalkicking star Josh Kennedy, defender Alex Witherden (hamstring), rookie Rhett Bazzo (ankle) and utility player Josh Rotham (ankle) could not be selected.
Kennedy, the all-time leading goalkicker at the club, has again been managed in the best interests of the veteran’s plans to finish the season strongly.
While Naitanui resumes from a two-week lay-off with a knee injury and Rioli returns after a family bereavement, others short-listed for a recall include small forward Zac Langdon, utility player Samo Petrevski-Seton, forward Jack Petruccelle, midfielders Connor West and Greg Clark and key forward Hugh Dixon.
West was the medical substitute last week and should be ready to resume, having run 10km post game after not getting any match time against St Kilda last week.
The milestone for Gaff is not the only significance for this clash against the Suns with midfielder Tim Kelly playing his 100th AFL game and Adam Simpson coaching the Eagles for the 200th time.
