Eagle Nic Naitanui is the most improved player in the competition in 2020, according to Kane Cornes, in more praise for the star ruckman.

Speaking on SEN, Cornes didn’t hesitate when asked who has stood out so far this season.

“I’m going to go for Nic Naitanui,” Cornes said.

“Year on year, the improvement from Nic Naitanui… he played on and off for three years with injury.

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“If you’re asking me… what Nic Naitanui is doing for West Coast is more significant than any other player in the competition.”

The praise for Naitanui follows Norm Smith Medallist Simon Madden’s claims that the Eagle is the “epitome of a modern ruckman”.

The Eagle has so far won battles against prominent star ruckmen Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy in 2020, while continuing to win the ball for West Coast at ground level.

Teammates including Dom Sheed have publicly said Naitanui is in the best form they’ve seen, despite serious knee injuries disrupting his past four seasons.

Naitanui was limited to just five games in 2019 and missed the entire 2017 season.

He played 15 games in both 2016 and 2018.

Co-host Andrew Hayes argued it’s hard for Naitanui to be named most improved given his All Australian form of 2012.

He instead nominated Port big man Charlie Dixon, Dixon’s teammate Zak Butters and Melbourne’s Christian Petracca as his picks for 2020.

“I know a lot of people say Butters is improved, it’s only his second year. This year he’s taken it to a new level,” Hayes said.

“Dixon, we know what he can do but his improvement is he’s doing it every week, he’s healthy and you can trust him.”