West Coast coach John Worsfold is urging AFL fans to be more patient with prodigy Nic Naitanui, claiming the 20-year-old is developing at a quicker rate than most other ruckmen his age.

Naitanui, the No.2 pick from the 2008 national draft, has shown flashes of brilliance during his 32-game career but is yet to stamp his authority on a consistent basis.

The 201cm ruckman is a superb athlete but is still learning the finer points of playing at the top level, with his positioning around the ground the biggest criticism levelled at him over the past two years.

But his stats are still impressive for a young ruckman, averaging 16.6 hit-outs, 11.7 possessions and booting nine goals in 22 games last season.

In 2002, a 21-year-old Dean Cox averaged 16.1 hit-outs, 10.1 possessions and kicked seven goals.

Worsfold said fans should remember it took Cox, a four-times All-Australian, about four years before he really started to hit his straps.

"Nic's ruck work and work around the ground is way ahead of certainly what Dean Cox did in his first two years," Worsfold said.

"But at the moment people are maybe comparing Nic in his first two years to Coxy in his All-Australian years.

"So again, it's a bit about perception of mindset.

"But Nic's performances in the ruck, around the ground and winning contested football was outstanding for a second year player.

"He's going to continue to improve."

Worsfold said Naitanui would be given even more responsibility this season after coping well with an increased workload last year.

"(We plan to) play him in the ruck more and play him on the ball more," Worsfold said.

"Last year he carried a big workload early in the year while Coxy was getting up and going, and he was one of our better players.

"He's fitter, stronger. He'll get more opportunities.

"Really all we want him to do is have a good combination with Dean Cox, which means he'll play up forward at times, play onball at times, play in the ruck at times - show us what you can do.

"It's not as though we're a midfielder down when one of those two are in there (on the ball).

"We've got two wonderful ruckmen that have to hopefully give our younger midfielders some sort of advantage."

Naitanui injured his shoulder in the NAB Cup semi-final loss to Collingwood, but Worsfold was confident the dread-locked star would be fit for the season opener against North Melbourne on March 27.

But Adam Selwood may be forced to sit out the match after injuring his hamstring in last week's practice match loss to the Dockers.

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