WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson is "optimistic" Nic Naitanui can make an uplifting return in round one but the star ruckman still has hurdles to jump before being cleared to face Sydney. 

With only 10 days until the season-opener, the Eagles are deciding whether Naitanui needs more game time at East Perth this Saturday or if an intense training session on Friday will be better preparation.

The 201cm big man has recovered well from his first hit-out in nearly 19 months following his knee reconstruction, and provided he reports no soreness Naitanui will be in the mix for the Swans clash. 

"We're optimistic (he can play). He's come off less (preparation in the past)," Simpson told AFL.com.au.

"I don't think it's unreasonable to say he'll be available round one.

"But we've probably got three or four sessions between now and round one and he needs to probably train and pull up really well from each of them."

Naitanui "ticked all the boxes" in 54 minutes' game time for the Royals last Saturday and grew in confidence as the match wore on, showcasing his prodigious leap during a dominant third quarter.   

"That was his first game and in the end his instinct kicked-in," Simpson said.

"He did some things there that he didn't do at training. 

"He did some things where we said 'Oh, that's Nic'." 

"That was a significant step towards playing round one, but it wasn't the last step.

"He needs to cover some more ground and get another week of performance."

During his 568-day stint on the sidelines, Naitanui honed his ruck craft and was often seen at training using his 110kg frame to outbody opponents while staying grounded at stoppages.

When the 27-year-old last played the 'third man up' was still allowed, but now Naitanui might not have to rely as much on his dynamic leap.

"We're still working through what kind of player we're going to get," Simpson said. 

"I'm hoping for what he was and if we don't get there, we'll adapt.

"He was working really hard on not just being a run (and) jump player."

While it would be a huge boost if Naitanui ran out for the Eagles' first game at their new Optus Stadium home, Simpson isn’t going to rush his most valuable player for the sake of one match.

"If round one was the only game, he'd play," he said.  

"Now it's not overlaying parts of his game, jumping or tackling – that's all done. 

"He's played 60 minutes of WAFL footy. Is that enough to get you through 23 rounds coming off a knee?

"We're not stressed about it. We've just got to make sure he's right for the year and we don’t want to force it all into one week."