Naitanui eyes long-term stay at Eagles - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Naitanui eyes long-term stay at Eagles

By Justin Chadwick 24/03/2010 09:47:17 PM Comments (0)

West Coast's prized recruit Nic Naitanui says he's "not going anywhere" in the biggest indication yet he could remain a one-club AFL player.

As Gold Coast's cashed-up recruiting campaign continues to cause headaches across the league, with star Geelong midfielder Gary Ablett reportedly the No.1 target, Naitanui said he was enjoying life at West Coast and was happy living in his home state of Western Australia.

The 19-year-old is tied to the Eagles until the end of next season and said there was no reason for him to up and leave.

"I love playing footy in my home state, it's easy and I enjoy it ... not going anywhere," Naitanui wrote on the Eagles website on Wednesday.

But in a move that could dismay many fans, Naitanui left the door open to this shocking possibility - shaving his iconic dreadlocks.

"In time ..." Naitanui wrote when asked about the prospect.

The 201cm ruckman, who played 10 games last season and starred during the recent NAB Cup series, is set to share the ruck load with Dean Cox this year while also spending large periods of games in the forward line.

Naitanui booted three goals in a match-winning effort against Hawthorn last year and said two goals a game was a realistic target.

"That's my aim, I want to go forward and kick goals when Coxy is rucking and I'm resting in the forward line," he said.

Naitanui has added 5kg to his frame over the off-season in a bid to match it with the likes of Port Adelaide big man Dean Brogan.

"I just want to be strong enough to be able to mix it with the strongest ruckmen in the AFL but want to keep my mobility," he wrote.

"Coxy and our ruck coach Simon Eastaugh have worked real hard over the pre-season over my running patterns and I think that has improved over the past few months."

The Eagles kick off their season away to Brisbane on Saturday night, where Matthew Leuenberger and Mitch Clark are expected to confront Naitanui and Cox in the ruck.

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