NATHAN Vardy knows better than most how star teammate Nic Naitanui would be feeling after his second ACL rupture ruled him out of West Coast's premiership push.

Vardy was in line to play in Geelong's 2011 finals campaign when he was struck down by a career-threatening hip issue.

It cost the then 20-year-old the chance to play in the Cats' flag triumph, and Vardy has never made it past the preliminary final stage since in a football journey cruelled by injuries.

So he can see the unfortunate irony in Naitanui's season-ending knee injury opening up a spot for him to partner Scott Lycett in the ruck on the second-placed Eagles' run into September.

"It's a tough one because you never like to get your opportunity because someone got injured," Vardy said.

"Obviously Nic has had his problems with his body in the past as well. Having done an ACL, I know what he's in for.

"To have that experience has probably made me feel sorrier for Nic, I guess.

"The team is in a really good position at the moment and we're looking to do bigger and better things as the year goes on, and obviously we want to do it for him and make him proud as well."

Vardy made an encouraging return on Sunday against the Bulldogs, booting a goal, taking five marks and winning 16 hit-outs in a 54-point victory.

It remains to be seen whether West Coast will play two ruckmen every week, and Vardy admitted his partnership with Lycett was a work in progress.

But the 200cm big man believes his ruck craft has improved significantly after managing 22 games in his first season in the west last year, and he is in line to finally reach 50 games against North Melbourne in Hobart on Sunday.

Vardy's feeling that he owed plenty to parents Bob and Shirl helped him persist through his numerous injury setbacks, and his mum and dad will fly to Tasmania if he is picked for the milestone game.

"(I played) 25 games in seven years at Geelong and I've already notched up 25 here, so it's a nice one," Vardy said.

"I was talking to my mum this morning and if I get a game she wants me to let her know as soon as I can, so she can book the flights to Tassie to watch the 50th.

"I come from a little country town and my parents had to drive me around the countryside to go to training and play in rep sides and that sort of stuff.

"I think it's (persistence) trying to do the best you can at football because of the sacrifices family and friends have made."