RUMOURS of further groin surgery for Nic Naitanui this week were quickly quashed by West Coast as the star ruckman again trained strongly on Friday.

However, the 2012 All Australian ruckman did not take part in a 20-minute intra-club match practice at the end of a gruelling two-and-a-half hour session for the Eagles at Patersons Stadium.

Naitanui participated fully in the early part of the session which included a number of match simulation drills, however when the players left the track for a short period to change jumpers he did not return to partake in a willing 20-minute scratch match.

VIDEO: Nic Nat wants big mate to keep on keeping on

New recruit Elliot Yeo was impressive, as the players did not hold back in front of new coach Adam Simpson. A couple of strong physical clashes signified the Eagles mean business just three-and-a-half weeks out from their first NAB Challenge match with Fremantle.

Sharrod Wellingham and Jacob Brennan were both still absent from training as they recover from bone stress injuries in their lower legs. Wellingham is expected to return to full training next week.

Will Schofield has also been absent from the track this week as he nurses a slight hamstring issue.

New draftees Dom Sheed and Dylan Main took part in the scratch match along with new rookie Will Maginness.

Malcolm Karpany was still absent as was Tom Barrass. The 18-year-old, who was taken with pick No. 43 in the NAB AFL Draft, has been placed on the long term injury list after requiring minor hip surgery and is not expected to return to training until mid-April.