Nic Naitanui makes first goal of season a highlight-worthy one against Richmond

Nic Naitanui chose a big occasion for his first goal of the season, snapping a superb major early in the blockbuster clash with Richmond at Optus Stadium.

Naitanui’s most recent goal had come in last year’s round 14 game against the Tigers, and he was quick to remind the premiers of what he could do in the opening minutes of the game.

Roving off the back of a Jack Darling marking contest, Naitanui crumbed, gathered and snapped truly from deep in the south-east pocket to provide West Coast’s first.

WATCH THE GOAL IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

He also set up his side’s second minutes later, with a rushed kick forward from a clearance finding Josh Kennedy for a conversion.

The pair of goals countered the work of Tigers ace Jack Riewoldt, who booted the visitors’ opening two goals of the game at the other end of the ground.

A bumper crowd of more than 50,000 packed into Optus Stadium for the rare Sunday night game, which was moved forward from this week’s Thursday night slot.