NIC NAITANUI'S mere presence is more valuable than his hit-outs to advantage, according to Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis.
Naitanui returned to play the Western Bulldogs on Sunday for his first game since round 18, having missed two matches due to the death of his mother.
The star ruckman delivered 48 hit-outs, 16 to advantage, collected 14 disposals, six clearances and kicked a goal in the 77-point win.
His ruck dominance helped West Coast win the clearances 49-36, but Priddis said it is Naitanui's work off the ball that makes him so valuable.
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"It's a super effort from Nic to come back this week and do what he did today," Priddis told AFL.com.au.
"He's such an important player for us. His hit-outs to advantage are huge but I respect him more for those chases, the tackling, the smothering that he presents. (I have) so much respect for Nic.
"Even if he didn't play this week we just wanted him back around the boys and just to enjoy his footy.
"He's in a really good headspace. He's dealt with what he's had to and it just shows the character of the guy."
Eagles coach Adam Simpson said Naitanui gives the team a different dynamic.
"It was important for us as a club," Simpson said.
"We set up a little bit differently when he's not around.
"It was just good for him to get back in his environment around the football club and be back with his family over here."
WATCH: Adam Simpson's full post-match media conference
The Eagles were able to beat Fremantle in round 20 without Naitanui and also pushed Hawthorn with Scott Lycett rucking virtually on his own as Callum Sinclair was also absent due to knee soreness.
Priddis said the Eagles are able to handle the losses of key individuals due to the confidence of the group.
"We believe in the structures that we're playing, regardless of who is playing," Priddis said.
"So we can take a lot of confidence out of that. When we play our team defence and we do it well then we can keep sides to low scores."
