Staker, who is continuing his rehabilitation from a knee injury, told Footy Fix co-host Jamie Charman that Naitanui presented the most danger to the Lions’ hope of securing an eighth win this season.
“Nic Naitanui is one that we need to stop,” Staker said on Footy Fix, his weekly segment exclusive to lions.com.au.
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“He’s big, he’s strong, he can take a good mark.
“He does those things that can turn a game so he’s the player that we need to play close attention to this week.”
Veteran Lions ruckman Ben Hudson will again man the ruck for the Lions against the Eagles.
After Naitanui aired his frustrations earlier this week at opposition ruckmen crossing the line to block his run at centre bounces, Hudson replied on Thursday: "I'm old, and I can't jump and I've just had a kid, so hopefully the umpires can look after me as well.”
Lions coach Michael Voss on Thursday night named an extended 25-man squad that included potential debutantes Sam Docherty and Stephen Wrigley. The final team will be revealed on Friday afternoon with the team travelling to Perth that night.
