Timeline: The brilliant and decorated career of Nic Naitanui riddled with cruel injury blows

Nic Naitanui’s career at West Coast has been nothing short of a roller-coaster, his brilliance stunted by long and tumultuous periods riddled with injury. Here is how it has played out to date. As his decorated career hits another crossroads, The West has taken a long back at some of his best moments and his cruel injury history. 2008: Drafted by West Coast with pick No.2 in the national draft behind Jack Watts who landed at Melbourne. Is given the prestigious No.9 guernsey which was previously worn by Brownlow medallist Ben Cousins. 2009: Makes his AFL debut in round 12 against Richmond at Docklands, where he as 11 touches and seven hit-outs in just 65 per cent game time. It is the next week when he makes an impact with three goals against Hawthorn in his first game in Perth. West Coast fans were quickly falling in love with their high-flying new cult hero. 2010: In his break-out season, Naitanui formed a lethal pairing with ruck great Dean Cox and the duo played every game together. He finished fifth in the best-and-fairest and was the Eagles’ rookie of the year. It remains one of only two years where he has played every game. 2011: The Eagles march to a preliminary final. Played 23 games, including three finals, but carried a shoulder injury through the end of the season and into September which required off-season surgery. 2012: More off-season surgery is needed after another finals campaign — this time on his groin — after a gruelling season that landed him All-Australian honours for the first time. 2013: That surgery on his groin would keep Naitanui out until an appearance as the sub in round six. He kicked a famous after-the-siren winner against North Melbourne but would finish the season succumbing to osteitis pubis and finishing the season grounded. 2014: A return against Fremantle in a pre-season game and 20 appearances for the year, but Naitanui still laboured as he fought to get his body right this season. 2015: Plays a full 23 games for the second time in his career including in the grand final loss to Hawthorn where he has just four touches and 37 hit-outs. Finishes eighth in the Eagles’ club champion award and wins mark of the year. 2016: Plays the first 12 games of the season before having surgery on both his ankles. Returns in round 20 against Fremantle, but plays just three more games before rupturing his ACL in his left knee. 2017: Doesn’t play at all as he the club takes a cautious approach with his return. 2018: Makes his long-awaited return in round one and only misses a game early because of suspension, before rupturing the ACL in his right knee against Collingwood in round 17. Naitanui misses the rest of the season, including the Eagles’ 2018 premiership victory. 2019: Comes back again in round 15 against Hawthorn after just one WAFL game. It’s short lived though when he injured his right ankle against Collingwood in round 17. He returns for their elimination final win over Essendon and their semifinal loss to Geelong. Signs a three-year deal to stay at the club. 2020: One of his best seasons ever, Naitanui plays 17 out of a possible 18 games to win his first John Worsfold Medal and second All-Australian blazer. 2021: Plays all 22 games for the Eagles to again win their club champion award and earn All-Australian honours. 2022: Injures his knee in the dying stages of their shock win over Collingwood in round four. Returns against Richmond in round 16 before injuring his other knee, but plays on until after the Western Derby when he is put on ice. Signs a two-year deal to stay at the club. 2023: Has a strong pre-season before experiencing Achilles soreness before their pre-season games. Is hopeful of playing early in the seasons but is ruled out until around the bye in April. “When we first announced it we knew it was going to be a longer-term (injury), so we shouldn’t have done next week, next week because it’s a pain in the ass for me to answer the questions,” Simpson says on April 7. On June 6 it is revealed Naitanui will see a specialist. The Eagles officially rule him out on June 7.