STAR ruckman Nic Naitanui is on track to play in West Coast's blockbuster season opener but still has "some hurdles to jump over" in his comeback from a knee reconstruction, midfield coach Sam Mitchell says.
The Eagles are gradually building Naitanui's training program and he joined in with the main group for Monday's session at Domain Stadium.
The spring-heeled big man didn't show off his prodigious leap but took part in scrimmage work while the session was open to media.
However, Naitanui was still held out of some match-simulation drills, as the Eagles continue to treat their most prized asset with caution.
West Coast hopes the 27-year-old will be available for the club's final JLT Community Series clash against Fremantle on March 11.
But Naitanui's long-awaited return from 18 months out of the game might be delayed until the Eagles' first home game at Optus Stadium against Sydney.
"At the moment, he's aimed for round one, but he hasn't got into the competitive stuff yet," Mitchell said.
"The risk of putting him into competitive work at any point is there, so whenever we do that it needs to be at the right time and with as little amount of risk as possible.
"(Medical staff) say he's on track for that (round one) but what he has to do between now and then, there's still some hurdles to jump over."
After watching Naitanui progress through almost his entire rehabilitation, Mitchell was confident the 201cm Eagle has done everything in his power to return as close to peak condition as possible.
"His best is still going to be absolutely outstanding," the first-year coach said.
"How often we see it and how soon we can see it only time will tell, but his diligence to his program … I don't think he's going to get anywhere and say 'gee, I could've done more'."
Despite reduced summer programs for some big-name Eagles, Mitchell wasn't concerned that the likes of Luke Shuey (hip), Andrew Gaff (foot/ankle) or Josh Kennedy (ankle) would be behind the eight-ball heading into 2018.
Kennedy took a step forward in his comeback from ankle surgery on Monday by striding through straight-line running work and kicking for goal.
Meanwhile, reigning club champion Elliot Yeo had no problems hitting full pace after tweaking an ankle at training last week.
Yeo's explosiveness could be important for an engine room that was criticised for lacking pace last year, and Mitchell expects a "different dynamic" from the next generation of midfielders coming through the ranks.
"There's so many young guys trying to jump up into that realm and take those spots," he said.
"The vibrancy that we get out of every session has been outstanding.
"Onwards and upwards and I think there's going to be some good things coming out of the side in the early part of the year."
Mitchell, who hasn't once regretted his decision to retire at the end of last year, has been particularly impressed by West Coast's leaders helping fill the void left since he and Matt Priddis hung up their boots.
"Luke Shuey, Jack Redden and Andrew Gaff, these guys are all strong leaders of our footy club, and I think they can help share the load," he said.
