Ben Cousins was within the room for Nic Naitanui’s emotional farewell press convention – and the Eagles nice acquired a shout-out from the retiring ruck star for uttering some memorable phrases in his debut sport.
Naitanui formally drew the curtain on some of the memorable careers in West Coast historical past on Monday, retiring after 213 video games after failing to beat an Achilles situation.
As common, the three-time All-Australian drew a substantial crowd, with Cousins among the many previous and current gamers to applaud the outgoing nice at Mineral Resources Park.
When requested what a few of his fondest profession reminiscences could be, Naitanui solid his thoughts again to when he was a thin 19-year-old on debut at Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium towards Richmond – which had just lately grow to be Cousins’ new AFL membership.
“My first game is something that will stick in my mind forever,” Naitanui stated on Monday.
“It was against Richmond (in 2009). I was wearing No.9 – obviously (the number of) one of my childhood heroes in Cuzzy.
“He was standing on the other side of the (centre) circle.
“He told me to take his jumper off – not to be wearing it.
“It was his first game for the Tigers back against West Coast. That’s something that will always stay in my mind. We lost that game in the end, but it’s something I have fond memories of.”
Naitanui stated he was happy with his rise from the streets of Midvale to one of many most-loved West Coast gamers of all time.
“I started on Bushby Street kicking the footy between the rubbish bins with some of the great Indigenous players we’ve seen come across the footy field in Michael Walters and Chris Yarran.
“Being able to then run out in front of 50,000 people was a boyhood dream come true.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
