READY: Ruckman Dean Cox says the Eagles are well-equipped to deal with the likely absence of Nic Naitanui at the start of the season. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper. Source: PerthNow
CHAMPION West Coast big man Dean Cox has assured fans the Eagles are well placed to cope without Nic Naitanui if his All-Australian ruck partner misses the start of the season because of injury.
Bookmakers have West Coast on the second line of betting for this year's flag, behind Hawthorn and ahead of reigning premier Sydney, but there is a view the Eagles' chances hinge on Naitanui's recovery.
While Naitanui has done little more than walk laps and complete handball drills after groin surgery, Cox has quietly powered through one of his strongest summers on the track.
Entering his 13th season in the AFL, Cox said he was capable of rucking for 100 minutes a game if Naitanui was not available early in the season.
But the 251-game veteran said he was so impressed with understudy Scott Lycett's improvement this summer that the team could continue with the unique 50-50 ruck sharing strategy that has been so effective with Naitanui in recent seasons.
Cox also said he would like to continue spending plenty of time forward after kicking a career best 28.14 last year.
"Even if it was me and Scotty, I think we'd continue to do the same thing," he said.
"The biggest thing I took out of my season last year was probably my work when I went up forward, and Nic as well, and we each had a lot of shots on goal."
Cox said the players were confident 20-year-old Lycett, who has played just three times in his first two seasons, was ready to step up.
"He's come on in leaps and bounds," he said.
"Just his soft hands, his control with the footy and his body positioning in ruck contests.
"I think he's getting a little bit more mature and starting to really understand how to position himself to try and control the stoppage.
"It's been really good to push each other all the way through the pre-season and try and learn from each other as well.
"I'd certainly love Nic to be fully fit and playing all the time. The player that he is and what he brings to the club is so important.
"But what you find out when players step up and fill the void is they really blossom and certainly if Nic isn't ready, Scotty will do that."
Rookie-listed ruckman/forward Callum Sinclair is also likely to receive opportunities during the NAB Cup, though Lycett is the frontrunner to partner Cox given his two years in the club's system.
Cox predicted the loss of Quinten Lynch, who was able to do some part-time ruck work, would mean the Eagles would have to select two genuine ruck options in every game.
None of West Coast's key position players have had experience as a relief ruckman, following Lynch's move to Collingwood as a free agent.
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