• Forecast the road to the flag with the AFL Finals Predictor
NATHAN Vardy believes training against spring-heeled West Coast teammate Nic Naitanui has helped him learn how to combat Paddy Ryder's prodigious leap in Saturday night's elimination final against Port Adelaide.
Vardy and veteran back-up Drew Petrie face a daunting challenge against star All Australian big man Ryder, who dominated the Eagles in both contests this season.
But with Naitanui in the final stages of his comeback from a knee reconstruction, Vardy has been soaking up advice about how to unsettle Ryder.
"Now that Nic's been doing a lot more training I've been working with him to ask what he doesn't like, because they're similar players," Vardy told AFL.com.au.
"I think the biggest thing with Paddy is you can't let him jump."
Mega-preview: First elimination final, Port Adelaide v West Coast
Creating a contest in the hit-outs and preventing the Power's clean takeaways from stoppages will be critical for West Coast at Adelaide Oval.
Port is ranked No.1 in the AFL for scores from clearances, an area West Coast has been vulnerable all season without Naitanui.
Ryder regularly gave the Power first use by winning 60 per cent of hit-outs against West Coast in round seven, but the Eagles' defence stood tall under an inside 50 barrage and the visitors posted a gripping 10-point triumph.
West Coast brought back Scott Lycett to try to contain Ryder for the return bout at Domain Stadium, but Port's big man went to another level.
Nearly 30 per cent of his taps were to advantage and the Power kicked almost half their score (58 points) from clearances in a 32-point victory, with Ryder also booting two majors in a best afield display.
"He's touched me up twice now," Vardy said. "Having two weeks to prepare for him this time (helps).
"Hopefully I can nullify his influence because he's been the best ruckman in the game this year."
Vardy, who views himself primarily as a forward, has performed well above expectations since crossing from Geelong during last year's NAB AFL Trade Period.
The 26-year-old has averaged 23 hit-outs and booted nine goals in 20 appearances this year – after playing just 25 matches during his injury-plagued seven seasons at Geelong.
The opportunity to be mentored by Dean Cox swayed his move west and the Eagles great has instilled Vardy with confidence he can work out his opponents.
"In the past I was trying to play to my strengths, I didn't pay attention too much to what the other ruckmen did," he said.
"That's the biggest thing this year, working on what those other guys' strengths are and how I can use my strengths to combat that.
"There's times I get on the phone mid-quarter and I go 'Coxy, I'm lost, mate, what are you seeing?' and he'll send down some edits to the bench and I'll have a look.
"He's been massive, because obviously we organise a plan going through the week about 'this is what we're going to do'.
"If that plan isn't working then we (adjust) from there, or if I'm just not quite doing it right we adjust from there as well.
"To have that gameday has been unreal."
