The countdown to West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui's playing return is down to single figures, but it is the amount of zeros on his next AFL contract that currently holds the biggest intrigue.
Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett has confirmed that Naitanui has been tabled a new three-year deal.
The club hasn't confirmed how much the deal is worth, but it's believed to be significantly less than Naitanui's current contract, which was rumoured to be close to $1 million a season.
A significant portion of that fell outside of the salary cap.
Naitanui has already stated he is prepared to take a pay cut in his next deal, acknowledging he now has two "compromised knees" following two knee reconstructions.
Even if Naitanui was offered a more lucrative deal elsewhere, it's unlikely he will take it up given his love for West Coast and the city of Perth.
The 29-year-old is set to make his long-awaited return from his second knee reconstruction for West Coast's reserves side in the WAFL next weekend.
The game against East Fremantle is scheduled for Saturday, but it could be moved to Sunday if Naitanui is playing to allow more fans to attend.
It would be Naitanui's first game since rupturing the ACL in his right knee while playing against Collingwood at the MCG in round 17 last year.
The Eagles have struggled to generate clean clearances without Naitanui in the ruck this season.
New recruit Tom Hickey has been solid rather than spectacular, while Nathan Vardy has struggled for form.
Vardy and goalsneak Willie Rioli will miss next Thursday's home clash with Essendon through suspension.
But skipper Shannon Hurn (hamstring), midfielder Elliot Yeo (calf), and big man Oscar Allen (ankle) are in line to return.
