West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui says he made the choice to retire after realising his trademark leap in all probability would not return following an achilles tendon harm.
But the 33-year-old insists he leaves the sport with no regrets regardless of lacking out on the premiership success he craved so dearly.
Naitanui was contracted for 2024, however a season-ending achilles tendon harm that required surgical procedure satisfied him the time was proper to bow out.
It ends his glittering profession at 213 AFL video games, with the three-time All-Australian to go down as considered one of West Coast’s all-time greats.
“My achilles isn’t quite right. It’s going to be a long journey,” Naitanui informed a packed press convention on Monday afternoon.
“I think being realistic, to come back and play a couple of games to get a send-off – as much as some people say I might deserve it, I thought it might be a little bit selfish.
“I really feel like I’ve exhausted each avenue to work my method via my harm, however my physique is sending a powerful message that it’s time.
“Being a power athlete who has relied on my ability to jump throughout my career, this injury was probably going to take that away from me.”
Naitanui will go down as the most effective and most unusual ruckmen, along with his deft tapping skills, wonderful athleticism, and bulldozing work at floor degree setting him aside.
The 202cm powerhouse performed in West Coast’s 2015 grand last loss to Hawthorn.
That disappointment got here lower than two months after his mom died.
Naitanui missed out on the membership’s 2018 grand last win over Collingwood after present process a second knee reconstruction earlier that season.
“It probably sits in the same boat as 2015. That was just as rough for me,” Naitanui stated of lacking out on the 2018 flag glory.
“That (2015) was the toughest year of my life. Then to lose the grand final exacerbated that feeling even more.
“For me, 2018 was powerful, however there was quite a lot of elation as a result of I obtained to see quite a lot of my mates partake in success.
“I don’t regret not ever winning a premiership. Obviously that’s what you play for and that’s what you want.
“But if individuals ask me if I’ve any regrets about not taking part in on subsequent 12 months or not successful a premiership – I’ve obtained a gentle roof over my head, and that is all I may ever ask for.”
Naitanui becomes the third Eagles legend to retire over the past fortnight, following hot on the heels of Shannon Hurn and Luke Shuey.
“Nic has been a legacy participant for our soccer membership and has been probably the most influential gamers of his technology,” coach Adam Simpson stated.
“Sadly, he’s the third membership nice to retire within the final three weeks.
“In some respects it is the end of an era and we will certainly miss Nic.
“There have been few ruckman in historical past to have an even bigger influence on the sport and he’ll at all times maintain a particular place within the historical past of the membership.”
Naitanui was selected with pick No.2 in the 2008 national draft and excited fans from the outset.
In just his second AFL game, he kicked three final-quarter goals to lead his team to a 20-point win over Hawthorn.
Naitanui got into trouble for performing a stunning slam dunk – in which he jumped over a court announcer – at half-time of a Perth Wildcats game in 2012.
West Coast deemed the risk of injury was too high for Naitanui to be performing such stunts.
Naitanui could afford to make light of the situation during his retirement press conference.
“I do not know why I obtained in hassle for that – these guys paid me to leap for a residing, so I jumped,” he stated with fun.
NIC NAITANUI
Drafted: Pick No.2, 2008
Games: 213
Goals: 112
Debut: Round 12, 2009 v Richmond
Emerging Talent: 2010
All-Australian: 2012, 2020, 2021
West Coast Eagles life member: 2018
Club Champion: 2020, 2021
Player of the Finals: 2020
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
