NIC NAITANUI is keeping the door open for a last-minute AFL comeback this season in case West Coast makes a fairytale run towards the Grand Final.

The star ruckman last week returned from an intensive two-week camp in the US where he tested his reconstructed left knee in a series of agility exercises under the eye of renowned specialist Bill Knowles.

Naitanui has since met with coach Adam Simpson to discuss his football comeback and is ready to return to main training with the intention of playing this year.

"The last thing I want to do is focus on my little rehab stuff and then we make it to a Grand Final and I'm not a chance or I've talked myself out of it because I haven't trained the way I want to do," Naitanui said.

"I'm going to give myself every opportunity because hopefully the team can keep progressing along as well and give me more time, which is what I need.

"If it happens it happens, if it doesn't I'll be pretty happy coming into pre-season knowing I've got a fair workload out this last part of the year."

Naitanui, who launches off his left leg, admits his jump isn't yet back to his pre-injury level but his strength is building.

Importantly, he is no longer apprehensive about jumping, landing, changing direction, slowing down or contact.

With four AFL games to go, the spring-heeled big man believes his earliest return date would be the Eagles' round 23 clash with Adelaide, although he is willing to play at East Perth first to gain match conditioning.

"I'd be kidding myself if I thought I could come straight back into the AFL side," he said.

"Training couldn't offer that physicality you would get into a game.

"I'm going to be smart with the decision (to play again) as well.

"If I'm not feeling 100 per cent I'm not going to push it knowing how long the process is to get back to being fully fit again.

"The last thing I would want is to hurt myself again by coming back too early and then having another year off.

"For me, it's been mentally just as hard as it has physically, so going to America for a bit was a good little change up to get away from it.

"But coming back there was a fair bit going on here at West Coast."

 Naitanui was vocal on Twitter after his return to Perth, expressing his admiration for retiring champion Matt Priddis and defending his teammates from fierce criticism after their last-quarter meltdown against Collingwood.

Many have pondered whether Priddis' retirement, despite being contracted for 2018, was hastened by Naitanui's absence and the influence it had on the veteran midfielder's ability to win clearances.

"Pridda came and shook my hand before and said 'thanks for making me retire'," Naitanui joked.

"It might have made a little bit of a difference (if I was playing) but I wouldn't say that was the sole decision to why he's retired.

"He spoke about his versatility up forward and playing different roles, which a lot of players have to do these days.

"He's happy with his decision.
"Probably one of the other reasons I want to come back and play is because I want to play another game with Pridda."

The Eagles moved back into the top eight with Sunday's belting of the Lions and insist they can still make an impact this season.

Naitanui admitted he has been frustrated with the criticism of the club over the past week.

"To come back and hear some of the stuff that was going on, people asking for players' heads and the coach's head, list management, it was disappointing to see," he said.
"I hate people having pot-shots at my teammates because they are my brothers.

"Ever since the 2015 Grand Final we've had a lot of doubters and we will continue to until we start winning games more regularly.

"That stuff on the outside is tough to hear when they start bagging your teammates but it probably brings us closer together as well and makes us want to prove a lot of people wrong as well."