Nic Naitanui ... I think a star is born

[dedja]

I don't want to curse the lad but I stayed up Sat night and watched some of the replay of the Tigers v Eagles clash on Fox and couldn't believe the poise, skill, agility and maturity of Nic Naitanui in his first AFL game ... this kid has got what it takes and hopefully will have a big career and impact on the competition in the coming years.

It's a real pity this game was on the media blacklist ... anyone who has Fox should have a peek of the reply to see what I mean.

I'd be surprised if he doesn't get a mention in the talkfests on Fox, Ch9 or OneHD tonight.

[Barto]

He's just a cut above the rest at WAFL level when it comes to endeavour. Ball handling skills need some work but his athleticism is second to none.

West Coast are just easing him into it this year due to some injury issues but he's going to be one of the big name players in a couple of years for sure.

[unknown source]

first game and has already taken a hanger.. i think melbourne got there first drafted pick wrong.. hes bloody quick.. he will do well

[Pup]

first game and has already taken a hanger.. i think melbourne got there first drafted pick wrong.. hes bloody quick.. he will do well

Way Way to early to even think of saying that. Come back in 3 years maybe. Watts is going to be a star.

[Zelezny Chucks]

first game and has already taken a hanger.. i think melbourne got there first drafted pick wrong.. hes bloody quick.. he will do well

Way Way to early to even think of saying that. Come back in 3 years maybe. Watts is going to be a star.

You say it's too early to say that yet go on and say you can tell Watts will be a star??

IMO Melbourne have a lot of players of the same ilk as Watts but seem to lack quality talls at the moment.

[Ron Burgundy]

first game and has already taken a hanger.. i think melbourne got there first drafted pick wrong.. hes bloody quick.. he will do well

Way Way to early to even think of saying that. Come back in 3 years maybe. Watts is going to be a star.

You say it's too early to say that yet go on and say you can tell Watts will be a star??

IMO Melbourne have a lot of players of the same ilk as Watts but seem to lack quality talls at the moment.

Off of the Melbourne FC website

DOB: 26/3/91
Height: 195cm
Weight: 83kg
Club: Sandringham U18/Brighton Grammar

Bio: Watts is an athletic, strong-marking tall forward with pace who is an excellent shot on goal. He represented Vic Metro in 2008, winning the Larke Medal and All-Australian honours.

I dont know too much about the bloke but 195cm is what i would consider tall.

[unknown source]

first game and has already taken a hanger.. i think melbourne got there first drafted pick wrong.. hes bloody quick.. he will do well

Way Way to early to even think of saying that. Come back in 3 years maybe. Watts is going to be a star.

you reckon.. what did you think of your number 2 pick.. i thought watts struggled heaps

[Pup]

first game and has already taken a hanger.. i think melbourne got there first drafted pick wrong.. hes bloody quick.. he will do well

Way Way to early to even think of saying that. Come back in 3 years maybe. Watts is going to be a star.

You say it's too early to say that yet go on and say you can tell Watts will be a star??

IMO Melbourne have a lot of players of the same ilk as Watts but seem to lack quality talls at the moment.

And what ilk is Watts? He is a KPP player and will become one of those quality talls..

I also said it was too early to be comparing players from the draft, Regardless i still think Watts will be a star.

[Zelezny Chucks]

Big difference between thinking he will be a star and him actually being a star. Agree with you though way too early to tell.

[Pup]

first game and has already taken a hanger.. i think melbourne got there first drafted pick wrong.. hes bloody quick.. he will do well

Way Way to early to even think of saying that. Come back in 3 years maybe. Watts is going to be a star.

you reckon.. what did you think of your number 2 pick.. i thought watts struggled heaps

Watts is only just 18 and needs to put on some serious bulk and to be honest he is probably not quite ready yet.

I though Nic Nat was reasonable, His leaping ability is amazing and his pack mark was something that gives you enormous hope for the future but he still obviously has a lot to learn. His Ball Handling obviously needs work but that will come. Pretty excited to see him develop over the next three years. We did not get to see his pace much on the weekend but he is super quick as well.

[unknown source]

i saw his pace and you can tell he is quick.. better impression then watts

[blink]

I can see Watts becoming another Lance Franklin, which is probably what Melbourne's recruiting staff also saw, hence why he was pick 1 ahead of Naituni. If you remember back to when Buddy first started out he was lightly built and gangly, but showed glimpses of his current athleticism and skill. Watt's debut was very similar. A couple of preseasons and a few more games under the belt, and he will be a gun.

[dedja]

back on topic ... this isn't a Naitanui vs Watts poll

[unknown source]

back on topic ... this isn't a Naitanui vs Watts poll

dont see why it matters

[dedja]

Don't say I didn't warn you about this bloke ... 3 goals in the last to blow the Hawks away in only his 2nd game.

[rod_rooster]

Don't say I didn't warn you about this bloke ... 3 goals in the last to blow the Hawks away in only his 2nd game.

Even my deceased grandmother could take the Hawks apart at the moment. Wait until he comes up against a half decent opposition and does similar before decloaring him a superstar.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

Can't call him a superstar yet, but I think there's enough there to declare him a certain superstar of the future...

[ORDoubleBlues]

Must have been reasons why he Melbourne took Watts but I hope for their sake it wasn't just 'cos Watts is a local.
Natanui's smother then goal had shades of McLeod V Hawthorn in '95 IMHO.

[catchit]

Don't say I didn't warn you about this bloke ... 3 goals in the last to blow the Hawks away in only his 2nd game.

Even my deceased grandmother could take the Hawks apart at the moment. Wait until he comes up against a half decent opposition and does similar before decloaring him a superstar.

pretty sure the goals he kicked was due to his skill, nothing to do with the opposition..
not to many people would of stopped those 3 goals IMO..
def not even close to superstar, but you have to admitt he is a very exciting player who could easily become one..

[doggies4eva]

I've seen enough of Naitanui to be impressed. He needs to physically develop because he has a light frame and could be an injury risk but if he can keep mind and body together he will be a star. Probably keeping his mind together will be the greatest challenge. Being heralded after one or two games is enough to mess with anyone's psych.