The AFL finals prospects of Nic Naitanui will be put to the test over the coming days when the star West Coast ruckman jogs for the first time on his injured right ankle.
Naitanui suffered a syndesmosis injury in round 17, and still might need to undergo season-ending surgery.
The 29-year-old is desperate to return in time for this year’s finals series, and has a schedule of light runs planned.
If Naitanui struggles with that, West Coast could rule a line through him for the rest of the season.
But a positive workout would give Naitanui hope that he can avoid surgery and stage a comeback during the finals.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson has his fingers crossed that everything goes well.
“The report we’ve got at the moment is he’s not far away from on-ground walk-jog,” Simpson said.
“We haven’t had any backward steps at the moment, so that’s positive.
“The best case is (he returns) around finals time. Worst case is he doesn’t come back. We’re still hanging on to the best case at the moment.”
West Coast sit second on the ladder, and will be aiming to continue their good form in Sunday’s clash with Carlton at Marvel Stadium.
The Eagles will be bolstered by the return of skipper Shannon Hurn (calf), while forward Jamie Cripps (groin) could be back next week.
Ruckman Tom Hickey has performed strongly in Naitanui’s absence, with the undersized Oscar Allen offering a handy chopout.
But a ruck combination of Naitanui-Hickey during the finals series would help West Coast’s midfield become even more dangerous.