Former Essendon and Fremantle ruckman Simon Eastaugh will have the enviable task of helping develop excitement machine Nic Naitanui after being appointed West Coast's new AFL ruck coach.

Eastaugh, who played just 29 games in his four-year AFL career, coached WAFL club Perth from 2005-08 and held the position of recruiting manager for WA at Port Adelaide last year.

"Simon will build on the development of Nic Naitanui and (rookie-listed) Will Sullivan, as well as our other taller, key position players," Eagles football operations manager Neale Daniher said.

"I think Simon has the capacity to assist the development of these players who are at crucial stages of their careers."

Naitanui played 10 games in his debut season and showed glimpses of the form that prompted the Eagles to snap him up with pick No.2 at last year's national draft.

Eastaugh replaces Dean Irving in the role of ruck coach.

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