The pressure on Nick Naitanui

[Wolfmother 182]

I'm one of the people who want us to draft Nick Naitanui but the pressure on him will be enormous. I keep reading he will be the saviour of the team .. bring the corporates on board ... marketing king ...

Gees much pressure on the kid????

[mikeod 21]

He might end up copping the pressure we had stored up for Judd when everyone thought we would get him.

We thought he would be all those things you mentioned and more (he probably would have been).

It would be a shame to put so much pressure on an 18 year old.

[Spaghetti 264]

I'm not even sold on the kid as I'd much rather a key forward.

[mikeod 21]

I'm not even sold on the kid as I'd much rather a key forward.

Get this kid and then turn Paul Johnson into a key forward I reckon.

He's got the strength and the marking ability IMO.

[beelzebub 23,313]

Get this kid and then turn Paul Johnson into a key forward I reckon.

He's got the strength and the marking ability IMO.

They can take turns wouldnt that play havoc with the oppo coach !! lol

[Jarka 767]

There's always alot of pressure on the first pick, just look at Nick Reiwoldt.

Naitanui will always be a target for marketing because he is the first of his nationality to get so much attention in our sport, he won't be able to escape that regardless of what pick or draft he gets taken in.

[Demons 32 235]

The pressure will be there regardless and unfortunately, he will be looked to as the saviour.

And to people who say they are not sold, haven't seen him play.

[beelzebub 23,313]

Must have got it wrong....thought the Irish Saint was our saviour !!

I dont think anyone thinks of Naita seriously in that light.. though he may come with some 'lofty' expectations !!

[AzzKikA 2,371]

To think one person/player will be the saviour of the club would be dim witted.

[Spaghetti 264]

The pressure will be there regardless and unfortunately, he will be looked to as the saviour.

And to people who say they are not sold, haven't seen him play.

That's just it though, I would say a good number of people on here who praise him have not seen him play. I'll admit I have not seen him play in person, but I sure hope people are not basing their thoughts on highlight reels they have seen of him, because everyone looks good in highlight reels.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Yes and no...

I think the coach and footy department would go a long way to keeping the focus off him, in as much as they could. The MEDIA (and Y_M) will be chiefly responsible for the pressure put on him.

I would have thought that IF he knows he's going at number one, he (or his manager) would be really conscious of going to a club that's not coming to the end of a dominant period, but rather being part of a resurgence. He has a list of about 20 guys in their late teens, or early twenties that'll be there for at least the first 5 years of his development. Half or more of that 20 will be players...

I would have thought that would be an attractive proposition for the kid. But then what do I know?

[Geddy Lee 582]

There is no saviour.

If the MFC shows stability, ingenuity and the coyness they have showed no signs of thus far in my life, then we may prosper yet.

[Wolfmother 182]

I agree there is no saviour but he is not only being hyped up as a gun but a face for the club etc etc which will make it difficult for him

[Gorgoroth 12,924]

I have not seen him play so will not comment, but any one we pick at number 1 (if we get it ) will have pressure.

[Wolfmother 182]

The no.1 will have pressure to be a good player... but if we pick rich or watt will we expect them to market /be the face of the club

[Hannabal 4]

I not even sold on the kid.

Id much rather a key forward.

How'd he go when you saw him last ?

Any feedback would be apreciated.

[davey_magik 1]

I'm going to the July 9 WA v Metro match at the Dome, he will be playing in that bar injury so I'll be able to see how he goes. Rich, Hurley and Watts should all be playing in this game as well.

[btdemon 482]

I not even sold on the kid.

Id much rather a key forward.

There is no reason why a super quick 200cm player with a previously unseen leap can't be a key forward if we choose to use him that way at times. I think he can be the quintessential modern footballer. Tall, athletic, quick, powerful and mobile. Bring him on.

[Travman 0]

Get this kid and then turn Paul Johnson into a key forward I reckon.

He's got the strength and the marking ability IMO.

Not sure if you've ever seen Paul Johnson play with a comment like that... I think he's taken 2 contested marks in the last 18 months of footy. Just because the guy is massive doesn't make him a target (sadly). His best posessions are when he's on the run. Bit of a concern when you are 6 foot 6.

[Eastie Boyz 0]

Get this kid and then turn Paul Johnson into a key forward I reckon.

He's got the strength and the marking ability IMO.

Needs to know where to run though, and also how to position his body at contests

[Jarka 767]

To think one person/player will be the saviour of the club would be dim witted.

Do you mean like Jim stynes?

[dazzledavey36 54,276]

Not sure if you've ever seen Paul Johnson play with a comment like that... I think he's taken 2 contested marks in the last 18 months of footy. Just because the guy is massive doesn't make him a target (sadly). His best posessions are when he's on the run. Bit of a concern when you are 6 foot 6.

and how do u kno that? do u have the stats to prove it???

[CARN THE DEES! 14]

Not sure if you've ever seen Paul Johnson play with a comment like that... I think he's taken 2 contested marks in the last 18 months of footy. Just because the guy is massive doesn't make him a target (sadly). His best posessions are when he's on the run. Bit of a concern when you are 6 foot 6.

Sorry to burst you bubble but PJ this year has taken well over 2 contested marks over the past 18 months and Im fairly sure that he has taken more than 2 contested makes in a game, he has improved this area alot recently. The fact he is fast for such a big man means that he is much more capable as a forward than a ruckman.

[The Great Pretender 463]

GIVE NICK SOME SPACE

On what I've read and what little I've seen, I would give him a space ... on our list on the last Saturday in November.

[Jerry Lundergard 420]

If we can get Warnock in the PSD draft, i say we seriously look at Watts.

You have to take into account he has grown up playing basketball as his no.1 or equal favourite sport with footy, which means with his upside once he is fully dedicated to footy should be enormous.