NSW/ACT are a second tier state side. WA are the reigning champions and won like the overwhelming favourites they were.

While I don't doubt Naitanui showed something special in that moment late in the game, the fact that he only had 20 hitouts and eight possessions worries me. For a player who's meant to be the dominant under-age player in the country, they're not special stats.

When people talk about Naitanui, they always talk about his tackles and his hitouts. As far as I'm concerned, they're bread and butter for any really talented ruckman. If we are going to pick an athletic freak at No. 1 and ignore the best under-18 mid in Rich and the best under-18 KPP in Hurley, I want to see more than eight possessions.

I want some real hurt factor in the way that Naitanui plays. I want to see goals when he's resting up forward. I want to see 15-plus touches when he's playing as a follower around the ground.

Big leaps, hitouts and eight measly possessions against second-tier cannon fodder at the national under-18 titles doesn't excite me at all. Look past the style and see the substance.

Natanui will be number 1 pick.

End of story. There is no debate.

Demons must steer clear of Daniel Rich, a one-paced midfielder that we already have in abundance (Jones, McLean, Moloney etc.)

Hurley will be my second choice, as he is the closest thing to being a surefire hit at CHF/FF from the draft.

But its all acacemic, cos Natanui is going number 1 no matter who picks first. And hopefully its us, cos the hype surrounding him will generate us an extra 2,000-3,000 members

While I don't doubt Naitanui showed something special in that moment late in the game, the fact that he only had 20 hitouts and eight possessions worries me. For a player who's meant to be the dominant under-age player in the country, they're not special stats.

There's no doubt that there's a risk factor with Naitanui, but let's not forget he's 17 and still learning the game. Go to the West Coast Board on BF and you'll get views on both Rich and Naita. Most were very disappointed with Rich. He's got a deadly left foot, but his critics say that he doesn't work hard enough or get enough possessions for an elite mid. That said, I'm sure he'll be a terrific AFL footballer.

Also, the average AFL match goes for around 120 minutes, but these U18 Champs go for 80 minutes - 20 minutes a quarter, which obviously impacts the amount of possessions.

I'll reserve judgement until I see Naita play in the flesh, but anyone who is 198cm's, fast, wins his own clearances at the stoppages as well as most good mids, tackles like a panther, can leap small buildings, and has recruiters like Scott Clayton saying "people won't believe how much money they'll spend to go and watch this kid play" has my immediate attention.

The upside is enourmous.

Also, the average AFL match goes for around 120 minutes, but these U18 Champs go for 80 minutes - 20 minutes a quarter, which obviously impacts the amount of possessions.

20 mins with no time on. A very short game indeed.

There's no doubt that there's a risk factor with Naitanui, but let's not forget he's 17 and still learning the game. Go to the West Coast Board on BF and you'll get views on both Rich and Naita. Most were very disappointed with Rich. He's got a deadly left foot, but his critics say that he doesn't work hard enough or get enough possessions for an elite mid. That said, I'm sure he'll be a terrific AFL footballer.

Also, the average AFL match goes for around 120 minutes, but these U18 Champs go for 80 minutes - 20 minutes a quarter, which obviously impacts the amount of possessions.

I'll reserve judgement until I see Naita play in the flesh, but anyone who is 198cm's, fast, wins his own clearances at the stoppages as well as most good mids, tackles like a panther, can leap small buildings, and has recruiters like Scott Clayton saying "people won't believe how much money they'll spend to go and watch this kid play" has my immediate attention.

The upside is enourmous.

""Go to the West Coast Board on BF and you'll get views on both Rich and Naita. Most were very disappointed with Rich. He's got a deadly left foot, but his critics say that he doesn't work hard enough or get enough possessions for an elite mid."" >>>>>>>>>This is just plain wrong

He hasn't been performing as well the past 6 or 7 weeks & word is people are wondering if some league club has got into his ear with promises of this & that???

He has been blitzing in the Under - 18s last year & last season in the Wafl home & away games & also starred in the WAFL finals as a kid. Is known to be a hard worker, a goer...

""Go to the West Coast Board on BF and you'll get views on both Rich and Naita. Most were very disappointed with Rich. He's got a deadly left foot, but his critics say that he doesn't work hard enough or get enough possessions for an elite mid."" >>>>>>>>>This is just plain wrong

He hasn't been performing as well the past 6 or 7 weeks & word is people are wondering if some league club has got into his ear with promises of this & that???

He has been blitzing in the Under - 18s last year & last season in the Wafl home & away games & also starred in the WAFL finals as a kid. Is known to be a hard worker, a goer...

I'm only reporting the comments of those that watch him first hand, but I'm sure he'll be a terrific little player.

I'm only reporting the comments of those that watch him first hand, but I'm sure he'll be a terrific little player.

Read the early posts pre this season & during the start of this season, not just the latest reports since his leg injury ( severe corky I think, heavily bandaged recently), & whispers of clubs suggesting he lay low, & don't get yourself hurt before we pick you up, are abounding.

The amount of uneducated comments in this thread is amusing.

Naitanui will 100% go at number 1.

I'm currently in Spain but have a close friend in the recruiting game, he's been in WA last week watching football, I presume it's the Under 18's. He sent me a message along these lines.

"Melbourne should make sure they don't win another game. Naitanui will turn your club around"

As much as I don't relish the first statment, I have to say the 2nd excites me...

The amount of uneducated comments in this thread is amusing.

Naitanui will 100% go at number 1.

As a wise man once said:

"there are no certainties in football"

Naitanui sounds good, but when you consider the fact that you don't need a superstar ruckman to do well , e.g. Hawthorn - Campbell and Taylor, Sydney '05 - Jolly and Boyle, Brisbane '01 '02 '03 - Keating. All these teams have mediocre ruck combinations, yet have gun midfields. No matter what Robert Walls keeps saying, a midfielder is more important than a ruckman.

Naitanui sounds good, but when you consider the fact that you don't need a superstar ruckman to do well , e.g. Hawthorn - Campbell and Taylor, Sydney '05 - Jolly and Boyle, Brisbane '01 '02 '03 - Keating. All these teams have mediocre ruck combinations, yet have gun midfields. No matter what Robert Walls keeps saying, a midfielder is more important than a ruckman.

He's 198cm with the agility of a midfielder...and agile midfielder.

Think Franklin, Goodes, and Brisbane didn't need anyone - they had stars all over the place.

He should do the centre bounce and then play as a mid.

He's 198cm with the agility of a midfielder...and agile midfielder.

Think Franklin, Goodes, and Brisbane didn't need anyone - they had stars all over the place.

He should do the centre bounce and then play as a mid.

100% Correct.

100% Correct.

Almost 100% correct. According to my mates out Swan Districts way, NN is now nudging 200cm tall.

I'm starting to warm to Naitanui.

It's all the talk about Jimmy Stynes lately... I went back to read some comments and descriptions of his play, and to look at some stats.

There is definate value in ultra-mobile ruckman/midfielders, I think.

And I think there is also great scope for redirecting our China Strategy to a Fiji strategy, the market may be smaller but some people over there might actually care.

How awesome would an occasional midwinter fixture in Suva be? Maybe against the Gold Coast team?

We'd get five thousand turning just cos of the hype and the novelty in Fiji, and Melbourne based people could make it a great excuse for a winter holiday.

I'd better stop - I'm starting to talk myself into thinking it's not a bad idea.

He's 198cm with the agility of a midfielder...and agile midfielder.

Think Franklin, Goodes, and Brisbane didn't need anyone - they had stars all over the place.

He should do the centre bounce and then play as a mid.

That's how he should be played: gives us an extra midfielder. Maybe could also go forward.

He's definitley got the potential to play like a Goodes like tall midfielder. The 'On the Couch' footage this week was very exciting. The passage where he tapped a throw in straight to a teammate who was crunched. followed up by picking the ball up Kouta style and riding a tackle to handpass to advantage left me grinning ear to ear.

He averaged four hardball gets at Colts level last year, so he throws himself in. I'd really like to see him get more of the ball around the ground and show some marking ability (this is where Kreuzer edges him). I've watched last years Vic Metro v WA game, and seen a few highlight packages of him, can't recall seeing an overhead mark in there.

That's how he should be played: gives us an extra midfielder. Maybe could also go forward.

The possibilities will be endless with Natanui.

Thats why he is a definite to go number 1.

The possibilities will be endless with Natanui.

How are the probabilities looking?

In all probability Rich and Hurley will be very good footballers. We know what we get with them. So many intangibles with NickNat. How long till the draft again?

How are the probabilities looking?

In all probability Rich and Hurley will be very good footballers. We know what we get with them. So many intangibles with NickNat. How long till the draft again?

His upside is so big that anyone would be stupid to pass on him.

Do we wanna be like Richmond who skipped on Franklin despite getting two cracks at him?

At worst, Natanui will be an elite tap ruckman. He simply will not fail in that area.

Remember, there are still 12 long rounds to go. But if Melbourne were to end up with the #1 pick, passing on NN would be a total disaster. (should he be the clear #1 pick)

To go for the safer option of Rich or Hurley (both of whom i wouldn't be upset at having at the club) would immediatley put us on the backfoot. The MFC would pretty much be saying that they don't believe they would be able to untap the neverending potential in Naita. That would have a far greater negative effect on the club, compared to the effect of not drafting NN.

In times of crisis, which we are very much in, the club needs to back itself all the way. We never got to see TJ as a superstar of the game, only glimpses. This was due to his head. The MFC can't be afraid of drafting NN, if we have the chance. This bloke has a ripper attitude and never say die attack on the ball. All that is required is to guide him, he will turn himself into a champion (ala Judd & Brown).

But then again, i won't be crying if Rich or Hurley make their way to the club. We need to be aggressive during trade week, possibly getting picks worth less than the player traded in order to get as many kids as we can before the new teams come in and screw over the draft.

I'd rather wait another 3-4 years to have a real crack at the flag, than finishing 5-8th for 3 years then realising we need to start all over again. Look at the Saints. They were down the bottom for a while, then they got to 2 consectuive pre-lims. Sure they didn't make the GF, but they had a real shot at making 'em.

I'm sick and tired of being content with a 6th place finish, IMO it's worse than finishing in the bottom 4. Atleast they get an early draft pick.

Good point.

If we're going to stockpile picks, this would be the draft to do it. So much talent available. And we still haven't seen Maric and Grimes in the team yet!

Despite our struggles for the last two years, we have a good future. Now if we can just pick up a strong marking forward at some stage...

At worst, Natanui will be an elite tap ruckman. He simply will not fail in that area.

It's abou time that you and all Melbourne supporters learnt how to spell his name.

And while I'm at it it's Wonaeamirri.

If only we hadn't beaten the f*ing dogs.

We'd have both of them.

Still makes me angry.

If only we hadn't beaten the f*ing dogs.

We'd have both of them.

Still makes me angry.

get over it. we beat the dogs by 12 goals. we demolished them. so obviously we couldn't have lost that game.

If you're going to ask questions, why dont you ask you we beat Carlton twice in the last 9 rounds and why we played players like Travis Johnstone roaming free in on the flanks (who racked up over 40 possies) when we couldv pretended they were injured or played them out of position.

And another reason to get over the bulldogs victory---- we lost about 4 unloseable games last year when we were ahead with about 3 minutes to go in the match.... we probably could'v easily won 8-9 games last year, and the fact we only won 5 was astounding in itself

Get over him

1 Hes not even on our list

2 He may not even be picked up 1st

3 We may not even pick him up