Nic Naitanui - Worthy of the hype?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Nic Naitanui - Worthy of the hype?

Plenty of development left, including the ability to play up forward. He's improving all the time though and it's hard not to see him becoming an elite player of the competition. His skills by foot have got a lot better, he's reading the play better and starting to hold marks.

All this for a second year player, too.

In 3-4 years he's going to be a genuine match winner.

[GVGjr]

Re: Nic Naitanui - Worthy of the hype?

Plenty of development left, including the ability to play up forward. He's improving all the time though and it's hard not to see him becoming an elite player of the competition. His skills by foot have got a lot better, he's reading the play better and starting to hold marks.

All this for a second year player, too.

In 3-4 years he's going to be a genuine match winner.

Just as a side note. If you had to chose between him and say Matthew Kreuzer who would you select?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Nic Naitanui - Worthy of the hype?

Just as a side note. If you had to chose between him and say Matthew Kreuzer who would you select?

Naitanui by a fair margin, although I am probably not the best person to ask. I think Kreuzer's a good player, but I don't think he's the star the media makes him out to be.

Kreuzer is obviously ahead at this stage, but Naitanui isn't too far behind and should pass him within the next two seasons IMO. Then again, I honestly don't think there's too many players you'd rather over Nic at this early stage.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Nic Naitanui - Worthy of the hype?

Staggered how Melbourne didn't take this guy with their first pick!! Watts might be a good footballer [Time will tell] but Nick Nat is an absolute freak

From all reports NN is a huge family man so taking him would be a sizeable gamble in that there was probably the worry that he would want to go home when his first contract expired. You might risk it with players at pick 60 but not sure you would with pick 1 when the other bloke you are looking at is a Melbournite and also has a fair bit of talent.

Time will tell if NN turns out to be a better player over his entire career than Watts, but the decision by Melbourne was a no-brainer IMO.

[Sedat]

Re: Nic Naitanui - Worthy of the hype?

Naitanui by a fair margin, although I am probably not the best person to ask. I think Kreuzer's a good player, but I don't think he's the star the media makes him out to be.

I will say that Kreuzer's worst is far better than Nicnat's. He isn't a human highlights reel but I think Kreuzer is a terrific young ruckman who offers plenty both at the stoppages and around the ground. He's basically a younger, more talented version of Hudson with his repeat efforts following the stoppage. I really like the way he plays and he will be more reliable week-in week-out than Naitanui.