EXCITING West Coast recruit Nick Naitanui isn't feeling the pressure to pull on an Eagles guernsey in 2009, nor is he worried about what number happens to be on the back of it.

The No. 3 jumper vacated by Chris Judd has been retired until the 2011 season in honour of the late Chris Mainwaring, leaving Ben Cousins' famous No. 9 as a possible fit for the club's first pick in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.

Speaking ahead of West Coast's induction weekend for its new recruits, Naitanui gave the impression that the spare 46 would fit just as snug as the Brownlow Medallist's old number.

"The club's still going over them now, just a number, any number," Naitanui said on Friday.

"It's just a number at the end of the day so I'm not really worried.

"Number nine? I'm not fussed – it's up to the club."

The athletic ruckman, who was taken at No. 2 in last Saturday's NAB AFL Draft, was feeling all sorts of pressure ahead of his selection but is now looking forward to blending in with his new teammates and developing as a player.

He and fellow draft choices Luke Shuey (No. 18), Tom Swift (20), Ashley Smith (36) and Jordan Jones (52) had their first training session on Friday.

And, with West Coast's NAB Cup start scheduled for February 7 against Collingwood in South Africa, the Fijian-born Naitanui said making his debut was too far away to think about.

"Every kid dreams to play a game, but to play is a bonus," he said. "If you're ready to play Woosha (coach John Worsfold) will say that you're ready to play.

"I think the bigger blokes do tend to take a lot of time. There's a lot of big blokes at the club now that are slowly developed and I think I fit that same mould.

"I don't want to do anything extra, just follow the program that they set for me, because they know what they're doing at the club. So if I stick to that I'll do well."

A big part of Naitanui's program will be working with chief ruckman Dean Cox, but the reality of training alongside his footballing hero didn't hit home for the 18-year-old until he found himself next to the All-Australian in the spa.

Naitanui said he would also seek advice from Mark Seaby and rookie-listed big man Will Sullivan, admitting that his first encounters with Cox had been a little intimidating.

"He's a big bloke as well, so I think most youngsters at my age – I'm only 18 – would be scared of a bloke like that. It'll take some getting used to," he said.

"The reality of it doesn't hit you until you're standing next to him or sitting next to him."