TOPIC:

Must be a thing with ruckmen in general. It wasn't long ago that Aaron Sandilands was dropping marks, lumbering like a log and being an inadequate tap ruckman. It took him a very long time to work it out and when he started to make people think, he was about the same age a Naitanui is now, give or take. Kruzer at Carlton is the same. High draft pick, albeit injury prone, but basically an under achiever still in his mid-twenties. Hale at Hawthorn I rate as a very effective ruckman. But he wasn't that at North.? He too took time, and lots of it.

There are countless cases of ruck men who take well into their mid twenties to live up to expectations. Everyone who knows footy, knows this fact. Ruckmen generally are not instant hits. It's been that way forever. I think Nic Nat is being singled out more so in this state because of the fact he stands out ( Fijian & dreadlocks) and because the kids seem to know him. Every kid bloody knows him. You don't ever hear the endless scrutiny or debate about a basic lumbering white ruckman who develops along the exact same lines. I speak of Hamish Mcintosh who is still in the system and hardly fires a shot, yet slips by minus the third degree. You gotta ask why? Is it because he has a look that isn't worthy of a sideshow?

Having said this, I'm not saying the nicnat is going to be a king. I'm buggered if I know. But his story thus far is common in ruck terms. Been around long enough to know it. It seems people in this state are blindsided by his persona. I think that's obvious in WA. It is from where I am anyway.

Just look at the DRAFT that year. Number one: Jack Watts. Number two: Nic Naitanui. Wink, Wink, say no more

In a 2 team town ( well mostly one team with the media) ANYTHING Nic Nat does gets played a gazillion times and raved about by nuffies like "Thommo" etc on the news. Trouble is a game goes for 120mins and Nic Nats exploits make up maybe 10 to 15 secs of that. Now play that over and over again,and he looked like a freak super star. In reality he has had a quiet game yet ALL the media have either some excuse for his quiet game. He is 100% marketable and his "brand" probably is worth the most by far of any eagle. It is in the best interest of the media to promote the marketing of him rather than question his average output. Sure the Vics pump up thier players ( ablett and buddy before they left), but as there are that many teams there the media has to some degree spread the love over many teams and stars. They also have say a Caroline Wilson, who may get things wrong but is prepared to question Golden boys like Hird etc etc. So much of the problem is media here, and until there is some balance in GENUINE questioning of "OUR WEST AUSSIE" teams it will remain the same. Personally the bloke has been pumped up way above what he produces, hence i have someempathy for the bloke

Bazza wrote: Its about time he delivered, actually that should of been last year, he is about 2 yrs over due to actually do something big season wise.

He has been plagued with injury for the last 2 years which would obviously hinder his development.

UNKA2 wrote:

58shark wrote:

Bazza wrote: Its about time he delivered, actually that should of been last year, he is about 2 yrs over due to actually do something big season wise.

Don't agree. He's not 25 yet and while there have been a few out of the box, not many big men (esp ruckmen)develop till 26/27. As someone said, we have been dudded by the media into believing he is a super star. His time will come, but it's a frustrating wait.

Maybe 58.... do you think he will "learn" where to to run?, also do you think he is a tad lazy?

I have said for ages now, he cannot read the play, he still cant and now the acid will be on him big tme with no Cox to fall back on, lets hope the headphones in training has some results this year because time is just about up.

Jason Ball took all of 12 seasons to have one full decent season right at the end of his time. Was it worth the time invested?? My guess is Sydney think so

jardine wrote: Must be a thing with ruckmen in general. It wasn't long ago that Aaron Sandilands was dropping marks, lumbering like a log and being an inadequate tap ruckman. It took him a very long time to work it out and when he started to make people think, he was about the same age a Naitanui is now, give or take. Kruzer at Carlton is the same. High draft pick, albeit injury prone, but basically an under achiever still in his mid-twenties. Hale at Hawthorn I rate as a very effective ruckman. But he wasn't that at North.? He too took time, and lots of it.

There are countless cases of ruck men who take well into their mid twenties to live up to expectations. Everyone who knows footy, knows this fact. Ruckmen generally are not instant hits. It's been that way forever. I think Nic Nat is being singled out more so in this state because of the fact he stands out ( Fijian & dreadlocks) and because the kids seem to know him. Every kid bloody knows him. You don't ever hear the endless scrutiny or debate about a basic lumbering white ruckman who develops along the exact same lines. I speak of Hamish Mcintosh who is still in the system and hardly fires a shot, yet slips by minus the third degree. You gotta ask why? Is it because he has a look that isn't worthy of a sideshow?

Having said this, I'm not saying the nicnat is going to be a king. I'm buggered if I know. But his story thus far is common in ruck terms. Been around long enough to know it. It seems people in this state are blindsided by his persona. I think that's obvious in WA. It is from where I am anyway.

Well put jardine, the exact point I was trying to make. Unfortunately, some people's hate of a club/person blinds them. It may well be that he turns out to be a bit of a spud, but till then wait and see.

swan42 wrote:

helraiserr wrote: a few years ago natanui ran down the subi tortoise in the grand final and the black duck fraternity rose as one.
did fark all after that effort as subi shut him down.
how old is he????? 25
should have delivered years ago on his freakish ability. years ago.
and I'm on his side.

seems to be moddle coddled every year as if he has soft tissue injuries every game.
if he cant perform in this year or at least 2016 time to go...
at least hes young enough to get something for.
beau waters should have been let go 2-3 years ago as much as he was loved at the club.

That would have been in 2008. Where is the progress and development. I most assuredly would love to have him back in a Swan Districts' team. What I am specifically questioning is the quality of the coaching he has had in his time at West Coast.

Carnwest wrote: I can't believe everyone is actually on the same page as me now.
I have put this up on numerous threads on here and got smashed by a lot of people. Nic Nat as I've always said, should never have been all Australian, abd yes he maybe an athlete but he will never be a great footballer as he has no idea of around ground situations. If he is the Eagles NO 1 ruckman they will be going know where.

Shit mate, you're wasting your talent. You should be hiring yourself out as a football consultant...dead set!

58shark wrote:

swan42 wrote:

helraiserr wrote: a few years ago natanui ran down the subi tortoise in the grand final and the black duck fraternity rose as one.
did fark all after that effort as subi shut him down.
how old is he????? 25
should have delivered years ago on his freakish ability. years ago.
and I'm on his side.

seems to be moddle coddled every year as if he has soft tissue injuries every game.
if he cant perform in this year or at least 2016 time to go...
at least hes young enough to get something for.
beau waters should have been let go 2-3 years ago as much as he was loved at the club.

That would have been in 2008. Where is the progress and development. I most assuredly would love to have him back in a Swan Districts' team. What I am specifically questioning is the quality of the coaching he has had in his time at West Coast.

58S I am not disputing that it takes longer to develop big guys. Perhaps you can point out the area(s) of his game that have improved in his time at the Eagles. Whilst it is pretty well established I have no time for the Eagles, I can see no measurable improvement in his game from the start of his career at the Eagles to now.

I personally am not knocking him. As a matter of interest what would your comment be to those who raise the average number of marks he takes per game?