Every pick is a risk, big deal. Hartlett is good but isn't exceptionally quick either and Rich is a much more prodigious kick of the football IMO.

Hartlett is quicker than Rich, his kicking is just as good, he has great evasive skills and his inside handballing to a free player is as good as I've seen.

I agree with you that every player is a risk though, which is the point that I was trying to make. Some people here are claiming that Rich is the way to go because he is a midfielder and is guaranteed to succeed, which in my opinion is flawed logic, precisely for the reason you just stated.

Sylvia had the strength amongst boys, hasn't worked hard enough to become a consistently good AFL player.

Sylvia was amazing in 2003 but he truly was a man playing against boys. Rich has at least played against men and apparently has done well.

To be honest i'm not really worried who we get anymore. I'll be happy with any of the three but i'll guarantee you that WCE and Freo or is it Port will claim that they are happy how things have turned out and really that the number one player has slipped thru to them.

I don't have the patience for a project player in Watts.

Yes. Just have a side full of midfielders hey? Like the Bulldogs? Yep. That will win a premiership alright.

Sylvia was amazing in 2003 but he truly was a man playing against boys. Rich has at least played against men and apparently has done well.

Remind me how amazing Sylvia's 2003 debut season was, please.

He played 5 games FFS.

Yes. Just have a side full of midfielders hey? Like the Bulldogs? Yep. That will win a premiership alright.

Remind me how amazing Sylvia's 2003 debut season was, please.

He played 5 games FFS.

Sylvia debuted in 2004.

He's talking about at under 18 level.

He's talking about at under 18 level.

Oh..fair enough then.

I've been in all the corners... started on Naitanui, then Watts, then Rich. Now I am back on Naitanui again... and I'm staying there.

Whilst it is possibly the biggest gamble with the #1 pick in history... the potential is incredible. This kid is something that has NEVER been seen on an AFL field before. He is 200cm (still growing), and moves like Michael Jordan. I don't care if we have to sit back and wait for 3-4yrs whilst this kid learns the game (under Yoda might I add), we are not going to be a contender in that period anyway.

Nearly every West Coast supporter on BigFooty want him, and Channel 7 Perth have reported that the Eagles WILL pick him at #2 ahead of Rich. That is saying something... they have had their midfield ravaged by departures, and already have the best ruckman in the land... yet they want Naitanui.

Here are the choices we have:

Watts - a skinny kid who is kicking 3-4goals a week in the UNDER 18s. Reiwoldt 2.0... but the original was playing dominating footy against MEN in the QAFL before he got drafted. I am not convinced on this kid, he's as much a risk as Naitanui in my eyes.

Rich - a man-child who is playing solid footy against MEN in the WAFL. Probably the smallest risk here... what you see is what you get. Not exactly the player we need though.

Naitanui - a skinny kid who is playing decent footy against MEN in the WAFL. Still learning the game, yet is performing well in a State competition. The upside here is incredible. Very risky... but the fact that he is playing against men, is why I have him ahead of Watts.

Now that all the hoo ha about Warnock is over, let's concentrate on getting what we need most - an elite midfielder.

Get Rich!