Nic Naitanui is two months younger than the man he’ll oppose on Saturday – Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith – but the Eagles big man has already played more than twice as many games as his GC SUNS opponent and will hit the century mark in the teams’ round 13 clash.

While Smith took a roundabout way in to the AFL with his background in soccer, Naitanui has been the subject of intense assessment of his game since he was drafted with the No. 2 pick in the 2008 draft.

Both have fallen victim to the injury curse in recent seasons, with the ‘Flying Fijian’ suffering from shoulder and groin problems.

He is at a point where he is close to full fitness now, and despite West Coast’s run of seven losses in eight games, the athletic ruckman has been one of his club’s shining lights.

“I’m feeling pretty good. I feel that I have built pretty well over the past couple of weeks,” Naitanui said.

“I’m getting to a lot more contests and going for my grabs again and stuff, as well.

“So, that confidence is building with more game time and more fitness.”

Smith is in the same boat, having put in a series of very solid performances after returning to the senior side after a year out following knee surgery.

His efforts included a career-high 39 hit-outs in last weekend’s loss to the Sydney Swans.

Naitanui hasn’t managed to get off the leash in two previous match-ups against the SUNS, finishing with 11 and 12 possessions, respectively, in wins at Patersons Stadium in 2011 and 2012.

He did leave his mark on one SUN in that win in the first clash between the sides, with defender Steven May recalling one particular aerial effort of Naitanui’s.

“He can sure jump. I remember one time he did jump over me and Nathan Bock in the square,” May said.

“I’ve got a lot more experience now, that was my first year of footy. I’ll find a way to negate his run at the footy.”