COMEBACK PATH: Beau Waters is eyeing a NAB Cup return. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun
WEST Coast enforcer Beau Waters says he is on track to play NAB Cup as he continues his recovery from post-season hip surgery.
Waters, who has been limited by injury to 113 of a possible 164 matches since his 2004 debut, had his left foot strapped today "as a precaution", having recovered from a serious ankle injury suffered in the elimination final win over North Melbourne.
But the 26-year-old also required hip surgery before Christmas and has been restricted to the rehab group as the 2013 season approaches.
Speaking at a press conference following his appointment to the AFL Rules Committee, Waters said his recovery remained on track and that NAB Cup action was "very likely".
"The ankle's just precautionary, but yeah, I had hip surgery in December and I'm feeling really good," Waters said.
"I'm doing a lot of running on the ground now, with that intimate rehab group.
"We're all improving at a steady rate and NAB Cup is a very likely possibility and then, obviously, moving into Round 1.
"Asking me and asking the physios are two different things.
"I'm hoping in the next three weeks to four weeks I'd be moving back to the main group and hopefully challenging the boys."
Waters said the recovery of fellow rehab-group member, Nic Naitanui, was also tracking well, but said the club had put no timeline on the ruck tyro's return.
"I don't think there's any timelines for Nic," he said.
"He's a very important commodity for the club and he's had some pretty serious groin surgery.
"He's moving along well, I know he's starting to do some stuff on the ground and, physically, he's looking fit and his attitude has been perfect throughout the entire process."
Waters' appointment to the Rules Committee ensures WA football retains a place in the nine-person body, following Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich's decision to step down from the role late last year.
Waters played a straight-bat when asked light-heartedly if the renowned rough-nut's presence would see a return of the shirtfront and said he looked forward to getting a different perspective on changes made to the game.
"The shirtfront has obviously been eliminated from the game for the safety of the players and we can see (the effect it has had) across all the codes," he said.
"I'm really looking forward to sitting down with the guys and understanding where they're coming from, rather than me running like a rat up a drainpipe.
"It's good to keep the role in WA, though, it's a long way from Victoria and it'll be a voice that'll be heard."
The latest rule change to the game came today, with the AFL preparing to ban six types of gloves after an investigation by Melbourne's RMIT University found they gave users an unfair advantage.
The iconic glove of former Eagles forward Quinten Lynch, as well as that of his new Collingwood teammate Travis Cloke, are among those to be banned.
Waters made light of the change, jumping on the chance to give Lynch some ribbing.
"The old iron-clad box-handler, it's been ruled out," Waters said.
"I'm not looking forward to seeing Lynchy without a glove, he wasn't too effective with one.
"It's quite funny, actually, and we'll be stirring Lynchy up when we first play them."
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