I've Been Thinking: Nasiah

[mjp]

It's really hard not to get caught up in all the Nasaih hype right now. He's moving from half-back to the midfield to the forward line and making a success of everything he does. He seems to be at WORST the best player on the Saints...

I have been wondering though about all the tales of trades and riches for this very obviously talented player...and wondering when exactly in the history of the game has a player of his size/attributes been the main plank of a premiership side?

Most players have historical doppelgängers...I'm not actually sure who Nasiah 'plays like'. I mean, he's a bit like Michael Long with a bit more skill over his head? He reminds me quite a bit of a player I watched growing up (Willie Roe)...I mean, I think he's probably better than both of those players but those guys at their most effective were the cream on a well formed cake and not really what you would build a team around.

Then again I suppose, what players DO you build a team around? Good players I spose...and he is one of those. But 3x first round draft picks??? Wow - that's a LOT to think about.

[Go_Dogs]

He’s kinda like a more outside Cooney maybe? Or the player Harley Bennell was threatening to be? I don’t know. They’re the players that stand out who could play multiple roles, kick multiple goals, be effective in the forward line with overhead marking despite it not being their 1-wood.

Thw game is changing mate and maybe this is the new prototype.

[mjp]

He’s kinda like a more outside Cooney maybe? Or the player Harley Bennell was threatening to be? I don’t know. They’re the players that stand out who could play multiple roles, kick multiple goals, be effective in the forward line with overhead marking despite it not being their 1-wood.

Thw game is changing mate and maybe this is the new prototype.

Yeah - I coached Harley so that's not a bad shout.

I know what you are saying about new prototypes but then I look at the Saints struggling to beat the Kangas with Nasiah having 40 and I wonder if the new prototype is really a key part of playing winning football games or just a part of playing exciting footy that everyone wants to watch?

[Go_Dogs]

Yeah - I coached Harley so that's not a bad shout.

I know what you are saying about new prototypes but then I look at the Saints struggling to beat the Kangas with Nasiah having 40 and I wonder if the new prototype is really a key part of playing winning football games or just a part of playing exciting footy that everyone wants to watch?

I mean, we’ve got Bont, Darcy, Richards, Dale, Naughton and have managed to lose plenty of games too.

I don’t think any one player is ever good enough to turn the fortunes of a side so I won’t hold that against him.

[Mofra]

A 187cm guy that can "do it all"?

Nas' a little taller but Andrew McLeod was near 6 foot and could do everything as well. Back to back Norm Smith medals. Probably equivalent height compared to the average height of players back in the day.

[mjp]

A 187cm guy that can "do it all"?

Nas' a little taller but Andrew McLeod was near 6 foot and could do everything as well. Back to back Norm Smith medals. Probably equivalent height compared to the average height of players back in the day.

He’s a Macleod btw.

i don’t remember him going forward like Nasiah did vs Melbourne.

[mjp]

I mean, we’ve got Bont, Darcy, Richards, Dale, Naughton and have managed to lose plenty of games too.

I don’t think any one player is ever good enough to turn the fortunes of a side so I won’t hold that against him.

Are any of those Bulldogs 2nd year players about to sign 2-million per year contracts?

I love him. I’m just not exactly sure what everyone is buying…you want to buy wins and I’m just not sure…

[jazzadogs]

He’s a Macleod btw.

i don’t remember him going forward like Nasiah did vs Melbourne.

Are you sure? I've always thought he was McLeod and a quick google seems to confirm it.

[The Underdog]

It's really hard not to get caught up in all the Nasaih hype right now. He's moving from half-back to the midfield to the forward line and making a success of everything he does. He seems to be at WORST the best player on the Saints...

I have been wondering though about all the tales of trades and riches for this very obviously talented player...and wondering when exactly in the history of the game has a player of his size/attributes been the main plank of a premiership side?

Most players have historical doppelgängers...I'm not actually sure who Nasiah 'plays like'. I mean, he's a bit like Michael Long with a bit more skill over his head? He reminds me quite a bit of a player I watched growing up (Willie Roe)...I mean, I think he's probably better than both of those players but those guys at their most effective were the cream on a well formed cake and not really what you would build a team around.

Then again I suppose, what players DO you build a team around? Good players I spose...and he is one of those. But 3x first round draft picks??? Wow - that's a LOT to think about.

No one player is really worth that much money, however preventing the collective trauma of losing that player may well be, especially for a team in St Kilda’s position.

[jazzadogs]

Nas has had two really solid seasons now, from the Sam Darcy super draft. Should be AA half back this year, but has impacted across all lines.

I was saying to a friend after he won the Demons game that it would be nice to see how he goes in a tight, contested finals-intensity game. He's passed every other test so far, so no reason to think he won't succeed there too.

I think Saints would be willing to pay him everything they have, but he would choose to move anyway. It will break that club further apart, especially when TDK and Aleer are busts.

[Go_Dogs]

Are any of those Bulldogs 2nd year players about to sign 2-million per year contracts?

I love him. I’m just not exactly sure what everyone is buying…you want to buy wins and I’m just not sure…

I mean, he’s a fourth year player (not second) and I’m sure at least some clubs would be stumping up that sort of money if they had a chance of securing Darcy. And we likely will when the next deal comes around too if his trajectory and ceiling is reached.

Yes they’re paying overs betting on the futures market, but he’s been solid for a few years and it seems is just now showing how heigh his ceiling is - which is a pretty compelling proposition to many clubs wanting a 10 year guaranteed hit.

He won’t be the same player at a top club because they don’t need him to have 35 and kick 3 each week as they will be better able to spread the load, but he still might do that.

[Mofra]

He’s a Macleod btw.

i don’t remember him going forward like Nasiah did vs Melbourne.

By his own admission he was a half-back or half-forward, although he was better known at half back.
He was good enough to be tagged wherever he went.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/77417/my-game-andrew-mcleod

NWM is the best kid St Kilda have drafted since Riewoldt. They have a stupid amount of cap space. NWM leaving the Saints wouldn't be far off Grant going to Port in 97. To me that's what they'd be buying, the preservation of the hope of an entire club.
We're talking about a club willing to shell out $1.7m for TdK.

[Bulldog Joe]

I am not caught up in the hype with NWM.

He is absolutely a gun outside player but (from watching him closely in the last game against us) he really wants to avoid getting in a real contest. In our game there were instances of him allowing our players to take an uncontested mark while he basically stayed out of it hoping for a dropped mark.

He is most definitely cream with his ability to run and finish.
Without someone providing the substance he will just be a highlight reel for a mid-range team.

[1eyedog]

It's really hard not to get caught up in all the Nasaih hype right now. He's moving from half-back to the midfield to the forward line and making a success of everything he does. He seems to be at WORST the best player on the Saints...

I have been wondering though about all the tales of trades and riches for this very obviously talented player...and wondering when exactly in the history of the game has a player of his size/attributes been the main plank of a premiership side?

Most players have historical doppelgängers...I'm not actually sure who Nasiah 'plays like'. I mean, he's a bit like Michael Long with a bit more skill over his head? He reminds me quite a bit of a player I watched growing up (Willie Roe)...I mean, I think he's probably better than both of those players but those guys at their most effective were the cream on a well formed cake and not really what you would build a team around.

Then again I suppose, what players DO you build a team around? Good players I spose...and he is one of those. But 3x first round draft picks??? Wow - that's a LOT to think about.

Early Kouta.

Not as tall and not as effective above his head but still pretty darn good. Like Kouta Nas started in defence, both were excellent kicks and clean one touch players off the ground. Kouta a bit more explosive while Nas has more of a lope but both cover the ground very well. Both great in traffic and both very aggressive with ball in hand.

Also both have / had the ability to play anywhere and both excelled in clutch moments.

Nas will become just as important whoever he plays for just as Kouta was at Carlton.

[Bornadog]

Then again I suppose, what players DO you build a team around? Good players I spose...and he is one of those. But 3x first round draft picks??? Wow - that's a LOT to think about.

Not many have answered this in the responses.

I don't believe you can build a whole team around just one player. Premierships are won by TEAM efforts, not by one outstanding champion. Yes he is a good player and showing amazing potential, but he also needs support around him.

No way you give up three first rounders for any player.