West Coast coach Adam Simpson says it is going to be Nic Naitanui’s choice as as to if he performs on subsequent yr or retires.
Naitanui is contracted for 2024 however his future stays unsure after present process surgical procedure on his troublesome achilles tendon in June.
The 33-year-old had been troubled by the ailment since February, and the approximate 10-month surgical procedure restoration time means an April return date looms as the perfect case state of affairs for Naitanui.
The 213-game veteran has already declared that he’ll retire if he’s advised by medical professionals that he will not be capable of play to his lofty requirements once more.
Fellow West Coast stars Shannon Hurn and Luke Shuey have already introduced they’ll retire at season’s finish.
West Coast are hopeful Naitanui will make a profitable return subsequent yr and Simpson is leaving the choice within the ruckman’s courtroom.
“He’s a bit different to the other boys, he’s contracted,” Simpson advised reporters on Friday.
“I’m sure he’ll weigh up and make his own decision when the time’s right.
“He’s nonetheless in a (moon) boot. It would not shock me if he did wait a couple of months to see the way it comes up.”
Contracted wingman Andrew Gaff is certain to be at West Coast next season after producing a late-season purple patch.
Gaff’s form dipped so dramatically earlier this season that he was on the verge of being dropped.
But a stint as the tactical substitute against Richmond in round 18 worked wonders, with the 31-year-old tallying possession counts of 24, 30, 25, and 23 over the past month.
“He simply works too arduous to not succeed,” Simpson mentioned.
“I feel if you hit a kind stoop and also you’re in your 30s, the very first thing you suppose is, ‘has the sport gone previous me’?
“No doubt he was thinking that. You try not to listen to the criticism, but his personal pride was wavering as well.
“So (we) put him as a sub – we may have dropped him – and that form of ignited him a bit bit.”
Simpson hopes Gaff will continue to improve next year.
“He spent an excellent 4 or 5 months getting over an ankle harm and he bought actually, actually match,” Simpson mentioned.
“But the sport has moved on a bit bit.
“So now the next phase for him is to be really good in those running capacities, but also in the contest and repeat speed, all those things.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
