NikNat

[Freak 100]

with all of this being said, Watts hasn't showed all that much when talking about a number 1 pick. Sure he had a great carnival but many players have kicked bags of goals in the carnival and turned out to be good but not great players. Watts has shown a soft side to his game, so that automatically rules him out being a big, tough key position forward(such as brown, fevola and even franklin who loves the rough stuff), and he has no where near the same courage as a riewoldt.

Naitanui is a must.

[Harry Manback 2]

Bailey stated when he came to the club he is a teaching coach. Teach this bloke to play and we might have the next Buddy. Might be a risk but I'm really starting to warm to the idea.

They'll be another Watts type in next year's draft, but it is almost guaranteed there won't be another Natanui!

Great post.

I personally believe our biggest weakness- the forward line- needs to be addressed in this draft. That being the case, Watts is our man. However, all indications would suggest that we will most likely have another top 2-3 pick next season, and we could look to address our forward line then. A name such as John Butcher from Gippsland Power is a standout as an athletic key position prospect for the 2009 draft, and I personally believe he would already be heavily on our radar were he eligible this year.

Judging from some phantom drafts doing the rounds, Lewis Johnstone may still be available at our priorty selection which may go some way to addressing our forward line issues. Although it is impossible to rely on him slipping through, if we were reasonable sure he would still be available then I would be all for taking Natanui with the first pick.

Whilst his athleticism is obviously his major attribute (not to mention marketability), his versatility could end up being his trump card at AFL level. He can obviously compete at the centre bounces and with his height and marking could pinch hit up forward. People who have seen a lot of him at junior level believe his clearance work alone is worth taking a punt on him for, and if all else fails, throw him in the backline and utilize his athleticism to give the likes of Buddy a run for his money.

No doubting he is a high risk prospect- with kicking and reading of the play an obvious concern- but if able to be developed correctly, he could easily have the highest returns of any other player in the draft. Either way you look at it there are question marks hanging over every one of the "Big 3", and a major possibility that one or both of these player's that we don't select will turn out to be better player's than the player we do.

However, I personally believe it would be a much harder pill to swallow if Natanui turns out to be the best of the lot, and we overlook him...

[Eastie Boyz 0]

You can't have another pick in the 2-3 range because the Gold Coast will have them I believe (though I could be a year early)

[Demon Disciple 11,199]

They'll be another Watts type in next year's draft, but it is almost guaranteed there won't be another Natanui!

It just so happens that you are right. Next years Jack Watts is a kid named Butcher. Only many over on BF reckon that Butcher will be better.

A very difficult and very important decision this one. Do we go for the ready made and promising midfielder, the potentially game changing ruckman or the KPF who could turn out to be our next big forward.

We need pace in our mid-field as well, so one will be drafted with the PP or 2nd pick. Blease looks a likely type.

[Eastie Boyz 0]

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=e7DTWnqlg8E

Highlights vid of Blease

Bit quicker than I gave him credit for but there's definitely quicker out there, bit one sided (and to some extent one-dimensional in the way he plays).

Biggest concern I have over him is his size (short-term anyway). Looks like he's about 12 and would get snapped him half by anyone of average size. Not gonna make judgement on how long he'll take to get big enough but right now I reckon even I'd be able to work him over physically.

Kicking on his preferred looks pretty good although his action suggest going at full tilt he'll kick those end over end punts that go straight but look horrible. Tackles well with pretty good 2nd and 3rd efforts. Worth a good look as long as you're willing to wait

[H_T 2,941]

You can't have another pick in the 2-3 range because the Gold Coast will have them I believe (though I could be a year early)

I think your a year early.

[Demons 32 235]

I really couldn't care less if we draft Watts or Naitanui.

Would love them both so im happy either way, can't wait to find out, both will be absolute stars.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I'm warming to the idea of getting Naitanui as a forward, especially if Melbourne get Warnock.

[H_T 2,941]

The footage is impressive, some real high telling marks at the death of the game. The kid can play. He would be awesome up forward or down back. It's a hard decision for the recruiter Bazza, that's for sure. He would be going to bed at night, thinking, "why just couldn't it have been Picks 1 and 2!"

[jacey 333]

I'm warming to the idea of getting Naitanui as a forward,

Impressive looking unit. No doubt he'll be targetted and be a prime candidate to be tunneled in the future.

[Deeoldfart 7,844]

I hope to god Jimmy is not involved in recruiting, unless it is to use his contacts to source out a few Irish lads.

I like that idea of Jimma using his Irish contacts to source recruits ........... and while he's at it he might get Guiness to give us a $2m x 3 year sponsorship deal.

[Viney_12 1]

Vickery is also a good ruckman, probably will go pick 5 - 10. So It'll be interesting to see Nicknat vs Vickery in the years ahead.

[45HG 1,539]

Now NikNat has been on Almost Footy Legends. He must be good, let's get him

[Redleg 38,483]

I like that idea of Jimma using his Irish contacts to source recruits ........... and while he's at it he might get Guiness to give us a $2m x 3 year sponsorship deal.

Why not?

[Mousey 47]

Im sorry but i am starting to think its an absolute MUST to draft NikNat with our first pick.

Cant stop thinking about it either!!! so long to go!! Jim or someone give us a sign!!

[Guest Chopper]

Im sorry but i am starting to think its an absolute MUST to draft NikNat with our first pick.

Cant stop thinking about it either!!! so long to go!! Jim or someone give us a sign!!

Dean Bailey said the Melbourne Football Club would take the best player available.

Not the one that best fits the positions were trying to draft for.

On this basis, I'd say were taking D.Rich.

[Mousey 47]

of course we are going to take the best player available... we have them all available lol

[H_T 2,941]

Dean Bailey said the Melbourne Football Club would take the best player available.

Not the one that best fits the positions were trying to draft for.

Of course he is going to say that. It's like being politically correct. Preventing the masses from kicking down his door. Imagine if he said we're after the best ruckman? He'd be strung out and quartered by the Dees fans.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Of course he is going to say that. It's like being politically correct. Preventing the masses from kicking down his door. Imagine if he said we're after the best ruckman? He'd be strung out and quartered by the Dees fans.

Its what every other Club would be doing.

Its plain common sense.

If Bailey said we were after the best type of a certain player rather than the best player then DB should be strung up. The fact is he wont.

If your recruting team does its job and you take the best possible player at No 1, the side should get a player that is capable of being a star and who fitness allowing will be a 200+ game player.

When I think of taking the best type of player I think of Luke Molan and I cringe.

[H_T 2,941]

When I think of taking the best type of player I think of Luke Molan and I cringe.

Craig Cameron - Genius.