Nic Naitanui Retires

[Truckosaurus]

Side note: might need more than two blokes if they want to chair him off.

 

[Biggie]

Content Naitanui bows out

The talismanic Eagle leaves a massive imprint on West Coast and the AFL after 213 games

www.westcoasteagles.com.au

 

[Falco]

Thanks for the memories Nic. Stood up in some big moments and was a truly dynamic and unique player. Its a shame we didnt see him play one last time. Champion.

 

[Mop]

The right call.

Cheers for everything Nickers.
You’ve been a beast

 

[eaglespremiers]

Well this hits me like a tonne of bricks.
My favourite player to have donned the blue and gold, bar none.
Will miss watching him play tremendously.

 

[Broken_Chairs]

Tragedy that we never got him a premiership medal.

Legendary player, gonna miss him.

 

[jdisc]

GOAT ruckman

 

[triplegee]

Thanks so much Nicnat for all you did for our club & some amazing memories.
An amazing footballer who could do freakish things.

 

[archiemoses]

It's a sad day. How blessed we truly were going from Cox to Nic Nat

 

[Balls In]

The way he come back from those injuries is the stuff of legends. Truly groundbreaking player.

 

[Spoon_Man]

I'll never forget those 3 goals against Hawthorn at Subi. Was pissing down with rain, but it was so ****ing loud at the city end!

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

 

[Barrybran]

This sucks but not unexpected. Probably the most exciting player to ever pull on the blue and gold, and yes, I know we've had a certain P.Matera and C.Judd grace our colours as well. He wasn't the most talented ruckman ever but his impact on a team would have to be up there among any player in VFL/AFL history. I'm going to miss seeing Nic's big marks and chasing down his own tap to drive the ball into the forward line.

 

[Hap Hapablap]

knew it was coming but yet again it hurts when its real

what a brilliant player, sometimes i also feel he underachieved substantially but nevertheless was absolutely unbelievable to watch in his prime.

broken he never won that flag.

its going to be really hard to watch games next year....

 

[Byron_Clanger]

Big respect to him for retiring with a year to run on his contract, but if his body's stuffed then it's stuffed. A Swanny D's boy come good. Will always love what he did for us. A shame he missed out on the premiership, but that's the game, unfortunately.

 

[kane249]

So many good memories of the big fella.
From the smooth tap outs to advantage to the bullocking follow up work.
Add to it a touch of the mercurial

2023 has been a sad, sad year for the club in so many ways

 

[THE A5]

This years retirees almost hurts as much as JK, Shep, Redden and Nelson from last season

 

[UseR2006]

 

[DanWCE]

Expected but shocked and saddened all the game. One of the all time greats. Go well in the next chapter, Nic

 

[FKASC]

Probably the saddest of anyone retiring that I can remember

 

[THE A5]

Missed out on flag and now misses out on a farewell game in front of a large home crowd. Really heart breaking stuff

 

[kaII]

I'll never forget those 3 goals against Hawthorn at Subi. Was pissing down with rain, but it was so ******* loud at the city end!

After how shitty 2008 was, it was one of those moments when fans could sense that there was a future to be excited about.

It's an amazing feeling, and one I can't wait to experience again soon - particularly given how much lower we've sunk this time around.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

 

[RookiePick]

Thank you Nic.

 

[thebutterflyeffect]

As much as these retirements were necessary they don't hurt any less.

Favourite player and him missing out on the premiership is the one that hurts the most. Will forever be a beloved player and perhaps the best role model to ever walk in through our doors

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Probably the saddest of anyone retiring that I can remember

This

 

[Coasters7]

Our fortunes basically swung on his availability for the entirety of his career. When he was in we looked unstoppable (2015 and 2018) and when he missed time we were a run of the mill 5-8th side. Haven’t seen a more impactful player and yet was still super underrated by anyone outside WA.

Made slightly easier by the fact he’s been “retired” for 3 years now and has barely played for the last 6 but will still be tough to know we’ll never get to see that ruck craft ever again. NN to Shuey was one of the best combos of all time and it sucks that we didn’t get to see more of it during their prime. Could have definitely won a few more flags if Nic had an injury free career, he was that good.