MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Nic Naitanui of the Eagles looks on during the 2018 AFL round 17 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 15, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Matthew Lloyd believes West Coast can still win the flag without star ruckman Nic Naitanui.

Speaking on AFL.com.au, the former Essendon great said that although the loss of Naitanui was "devastating", he believes the Eagles still have it all to play for.

"It's such an even year, I'll still say they can," he said.

Naitanui, who missed the entire 2017 season with an ACL injury, injured his other knee in the Eagles' 35-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.

Co-host on Access All Areas, former Geelong star Jimmy Bartel agreed, believing that Scott Lycett is not as significant a drop off in quality as many think.

"He's (Lycett) a number one ruckman playing second fiddle," he said.

The Eagles begin their campaign without Naitanui on Sunday against the Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.