The star Eagle told the AFL website that he planned to take the field "towards the latter end" of the season.

"I could not give you an exact round or date but I will put my hand up to try to play at some stage," Naitanui said.

Naitanui had reconstructive surgery in August, on the eve of the finals series in which his club was knocked out in the first week by the eventual premiers, and has not yet begun running again.

He has been working with the club's medical staff, and is now back training with the rehab group.

With Naitanui's fellow ruckman Scott Lycett also struck down by injury, the Eagles drafted in plenty of tall talent to shore up that area of the ground.

Former North Melbourne veteran Drew Petrie was one such recruit, as was former Cat Nathan Vardy.

Naitanui was confident that the West Coast midfield, boosted by the recruitment of former Hawk Sam Mitchell, would do the job for their club, whether they enjoyed dominance in the ruck or not.

"Whether we win it by hand or not I'm sure those guys [midfielders] will get the job done at ground level," Naitanui said.