NIC NAITANUI'S hyped AFL return is edging closer, with skipper Shannon Hurn confident the star West Coast ruckman will be cleared to face Sydney.
Naitanui trained strongly during an intense hit-out last Friday after making his playing comeback for East Perth six days earlier and is in the frame for the season-opening blockbuster at Optus Stadium.
"I'd assume he'd be definitely in the mix and provided he pulls up fine – without giving a headline – I'd say he'd be playing," Hurn said.
"It just depends on how he goes through this week."
If Naitanui returns on Sunday it will have been 584 days since he ruptured the ACL in his left knee during his last appearance for the Eagles in round 22, 2016.
The spring-heeled 201cm big man would provide a welcome boost to West Coast's midfield and Hurn hasn't noticed any drop off in his leaping ability.
But the fourth-year captain declared fans need to temper their expectations on Naitanui.
"We'll be happy when he plays but we'll also try to put the message across that just because he's playing it doesn't mean we're going to win by 10 goals every game, it's still a team performance," he said.
"We want Nic to be able to still find his feet. That will be the balancing act is everyone will be expecting him to be a superstar in his first week back, but it will take a little bit of time."
The Eagles are expected to name at least three debutants against the Swans, with Liam Ryan, Jake Waterman and Daniel Venables likely to form part of a new-look attack.
Willie Rioli (rolled ankle) completed some training last Friday but is racing against time to prove his fitness.
"Willie's just coming along. He's had a couple of interrupted things which is disappointing for him because he's starting to hit his straps really well," Hurn said.
"It's (the forward line) going to be a bit young but with that comes some pretty good excitement and blokes just playing football with a bit more excitement."
Coach Adam Simpson has admitted there is risk involved with taking too many youngsters into the season opener in front of a near-capacity crowd at the new 60,000-seat Optus Stadium.
How they respond in what will be a cauldron-like atmosphere remains to be seen, but West Coast is keen to build the venue into a fortress as quickly as possible.
"It is important. You always want to do well and play well, that helps yourselves with confidence and keeps that perception out there that travelling to Perth is going to be tough," Hurn said.
It is doubtful six-game defender Tom Cole will be available for the Sydney clash after his father Russell passed away on Sunday following a cancer battle.
The funeral will be held in Victoria on Friday.
Hurn believed versatile Will Schofield, who missed out on selection against Fremantle in the JLT Community Series closer, could come into the line-up to help Tom Barrass and Jeremy McGovern deal with superstar Lance Franklin's threat.
