AFL: West Coast Eagles legend Nic Naitanui’s tall praise for new teammate and running machine Brady Hough

West Coast Eagles star Nic Naitanui says he can’t wait to play alongside Harvey speedster and new teammate Brady Hough. The back-to-back John Worsfold medalist and cult hero said Hough, who had his first run in Eagles colours in Friday night’ intra-club clash, is one of the side’s most exciting prospects. The Eagles now face rivals Fremantle in the first of two pre-season tune-ups at Optus Stadium on Friday night. The towering ruckman said Hough stood out alongside the club’s first draft pick, Victorian Campbell Chesser, as the best of the draftees. “Campbell Chesser ... and young Brady Hough — a local kid from down south — have stood out among the younger kids,” Naitanui said. “Brady in particular is someone I’m excited to play alongside at some stage this year.” Hough, who burst on to the scene with a stellar year for Peel Thunder at colts level in 2021, is a chance to play in the pre-season match at Optus Stadium. That game will be played behind closed doors, before the same sides meet in an AAMI Community Series match at Fremantle Oval a week later. The official pre-season game will be their last chance to prepare before the AFL season proper begins for both clubs on March 20. Margaret River product and midfield bull Kade Dittmar is also still training with West Coast and will find out in coming weeks whether or not he has done enough to earn a list spot for the season, while former Eaton Boomer Isiah Winder was also busy in the intra-club game. Fremantle also held an intra-club match simulation on Friday, but young Busselton product and top 10 draft pick Jye Amiss was withheld.