THERE can be no more doubts over the influence of Nic Naitanui.

The high-flying West Coast ruckman is back in business after two years plagued by injury, with his impact on this Eagles team proving pivotal through the first three games of the year.

In a campaign where ruckmen are getting more and more recognition for their influence, according to AFL great Tim Watson it’s Naitanui who is the best of the bunch.

“I don’t think there’s another ruckman out there that has more influence on a game and creates more momentum around the ball than Nic Nat,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.

Finals Week 1

West Coast has understandably been cautious with Naitanui as he returns from a full season out of the game recovering from an ACL injury suffered in 2016.

Through three matches, he’s yet to play more than 56 per cent of any single game. However, if anything, the fact he’s playing less footy is highlighting just how influential he actually is.

Almost at a clean 50-50 split between time on the field and time on the bench so far this season, Naitanui’s on/off numbers show his value and importance to West Coast’s success.

According to AFL’s stats gurus Champion Data, the Eagles are incredibly +52 on the scoreboard when Naitanui is on the field this year and -15 when he’s not.

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Stats courtesy of Champion Data. Source: FOX SPORTS

Naitanui’s former Eagles teammate Xavier Ellis said his performances to date had been “quite exceptional” and truly proved his value to West Coast.

“Even just him running out (onto the ground) gives you so much confidence,” Ellis told the Fox Footy Podcast.

“He laid a tackle on the weekend and I imagine that’s what it’d be like to be attacked by a crocodile … it was an absolute mauling.

“It’s just those little things he does. He doesn’t particularly get high numbers during a game, but people rally behind him and it does create so much energy.”

But while Naitanui’s physicality has been significant within games this season, it’s in the air where the talented 27-year-old is having his biggest impact.

Naitanui has a hit-out win percentage of 70.9 per cent. It’s clearly the most of all full-time ruckmen, with Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands (63.7 per cent) a fair way back in second.

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He’s also averaging 11.3 hitouts-to-advantage per game. And while that’s third in the competition, it’s a telling statistic given just how little football Naitanui is playing.

Max Gawn (16.0) is averaging the most hitouts-to-advantage per game in the league, yet is attending 81.3 ruck contests. Naitanui is attending just 49.3 ruck contests.

Champion Data also notes that in direct ruck contests that he’s been involved in so far this season, Naitanui’s opponents are yet to produce a single hitout-to-advantage.

In the last quarter of Sunday’s clash, having witnessed Geelong hit the front with a late burst, Naitanui moved back into the ruck and had six hitouts-to-advantage for the term alone.

The worry for opposition teams will grow as Naitanui continues to build his tank.

Against the Cats last Sunday, Naitanui played the first six minutes of the final term, spent the next six off, played for seven, spent five off and then played the majority of the final eight.

That heavily regimented structure has been a constant throughout the first three games.

However, Naitanui’s program will soon allow him more freedom — starting from next week.

“I think next week we’ll build even more,” Naitanui told Fox Footy after the match.

“There was a three-week plan, leading into playing again. I was getting a bit frustrated on the bench, but it was good that we got the ascendancy in the middle at the end.”