WEST Coast Eagles star Nic Naitanui has urged his good friend Israel Folau to continue his AFL journey as they prepare to go head to head in the first ever AFL match at Blacktown.
Naitanui and Folau were part of a video link up between Perth and Sydney on to help promote this Sunday's clash between the Eagles and Giants at Blacktown International Sportspark.
The two have become close friends since embarking on promotional tours together to Fiji and Tonga, the countries of Naitanui and Folau's heritage respectively.
Naitanui, who is one of the emerging superstars of the game, gave Folau a huge compliment by saying the former rugby league star was further developed than he was at the same stage of his career.
And the Eagle was confident Folau would continue in the game well beyond when his current contract expires at the end of the 2014 season.
There has been speculation that Folau could return to rugby league, the code that made him a household name, but Naitanui disagrees.
"The time I've spent with him overseas and in Sydney as well, he's grown that passion and love for the game that every AFL player has.
"I think it's just a matter of time. He'll sign pretty soon."
Following a wildly successful rugby league career, which included Australia and Queensland representation, Folau has had a tough initiation with GWS.
"I've been lucky enough to be in a good winning culture throughout my career and now I'm experiencing something on the other side.
"It's good in a way to bring yourself back down.
"There's going to be some rough patches for us throughout the year and we just have to stick together as a team."
Naitanui felt some sympathy for Folau, as the Eagles ruckman experienced some tough times in his initial foray into the AFL.
West Coast finished 11th in his debut season in 2009 before plummeting to last the following year. But the Eagles quickly bounced back to reach the preliminary finals last year and are considered flag contenders in 2012.
And Naitanui has no doubt about Folau's potential.
"I think he's probably ahead of me at this stage in terms of my first few games," he said.
"He's coming along pretty well and it's a great learning experience.
"We went through it in 2009 and 2010 especially where you're not winning too many games, but you are learning a lot along the way."
2012 TOYOTA AFL Premiership Season ROUND 3
GWS GIANTS v West Coast Eagles
Sunday April 15, 1.10pm
BLACKTOWN INTERNATIONAL SPORTSPARK
Tickets from: www.ticketmaster.com.au
Purchase your ticket to the game and you’ll go into the draw to win a signed, framed GIANTS Guernsey!
