Nic Naitanui May Return Earlier Than First Thought From His ACL Injury

Nic Naitanui is ahead of schedule in his recovery from an ACL injury, according to the Herald Sun.

NicNat tore his right ACL in round 17 against Collingwood last year, but may be able to get back by round 15 in 2019.

The 28-year-old missed over 18 months of footy after tearing the ACL in his other knee in late 2016, with fears he would need that long to recover this time around.

The Herald Sun says NicNat is already kicking footballs and running in a straight line, which puts him ahead of his last rehab program.

“Nic is tracking really well,” West Coast football operations manager Craig Vozzo told the Herald Sun.

“It’s probably ahead of where he would’ve been at the same time when the other knee was reconstructed. We’ve had less setbacks in this rehab phase compared to last time.

“He’s in a happy space doing a bit more on ground, he just started that this week, which was really encouraging for him and for us.

“So, all being well, we’ll see more and more of him integrating into training in the new year.”

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