I've seen Naitanui play two good games this year, both against Essendon at Subiaco and one was in the NAB Cup. If his current form remains for the rest of the season and he wins the Rising Star you know the competition is rigged.

Nat can have it for all I care. The RS is an award for those that are physically ready to take the game on from day dot. Will Rich be a better player than Watts if they both reach their ceiling? Very, very doubtful but Rich has a RS. Flags, Norm Smiths, Brownlows, AA's and club B&F's are much more important honours.

With the sort of domination we are seeing from Naitanui, with a 9 disposal game today, surely he has the Rising Star award all stitched up.

I mean who could possibly better 9 touches and 67% efficiency? The man is already a superstar*

*Please note, the man may well become a superstar, but he hasn't shown more promise than Watts has thus far.

Hasn't shown more promise than Watts? That's debatable, though I'm inclined to agree. Watts promise is contained largely in his pre-AFL and VFL footy. Naitanui has shown more in his AFL football than Watts, which is something you'll have to give him for now. It's a simple fact that up to round 9 2010, Watts has changed the course of zero games of AFL footy... Naitanui has covered him there.

For whatever that's worth.

Oh, and as far as I'm concerned:

- We picked the right player. Both in a general sense and in terms of our needs.

- Nicnat will need to lift if he is to DESERVE the rising star. He's not the best nominee out there at the moment. IMO Scully/Trengove/Hanneberry have him covered. Not that it matters.

- Nicnat will only need to kick a couple of sausage rolls every so often to win it. The competition IS rigged.

A little observation I've made this morning after beating Leigh Matthews in my Dream Team league by one single solitary point. The little bugger actually has Jack Watts sitting as his emergency on the bench.

I reckon he's either changed his much publicised opinion of Jack, put him in as a bit of a cash cow or has just said those things on air to raise a bit of interest.

Another good step for Watts on the weekend. Looks like hes starting to believe he belongs, becoming really dare I say the c word, "Competitive". Great in close, some important clearances. Hopefully Miller and Bate can learn off Watts to be good below the knees.

I have spent 18 months defending that kid from the uneducated trolls on other forums and, while I always knew I was right in what I was seeing, it is bloody nice to be vindicated.

this.

During Tim Watson's opinion segment on SEN this morning, he gave Jack a big wrap for his recent form. He also said he couldn't recall another draft pick in history being so harshly scrutinized from all sides of the football world. Tim and the panel then went on to say how the MFC supporters should be delighted with watt they are seeing.

Edited May 24, 201015 yr by Tricky

I expect the Watts vs Naitanui debate to rage for several more years but I agree with the majority of posters that Watts will eventually be the better player. Naitanui has the advantage, much like Daniel Rich, of a football-ready body and plenty of experience playing against men. What he lacks at this stage is the football smarts and elite skills.

Watts is really still a work in progress too but has the athleticism, smarts and skills in spades. All we are waiting on is a few years of physical development which IMO is more likely than Naitanui becoming a truly silky, smart footballer. We have a beauty on our hands.

A little observation I've made this morning after beating Leigh Matthews in my Dream Team league by one single solitary point. The little bugger actually has Jack Watts sitting as his emergency on the bench.

I reckon he's either changed his much publicised opinion of Jack, put him in as a bit of a cash cow or has just said those things on air to raise a bit of interest.

Good on you.

You should send him a message re: Watts in the "Coaches Box" (or whatever they call it), highlighting the promise Watts has shown to date.

Watts > Naitanui

Only those without any ability to assess football would disagree.

What we've seen from Watts so far is a brilliant ability at ground level, quick hands, strong contested marking and hard running. What we've also seen is a lack of AFL match fitness and a tendency to lead at the wrong time/place, but those are easily fixable.

What we've seen from Naitanui is the ability to do some freakish things (like jump over six foot tall men and run faster than them too). What we've also seen is a lack of football skills, which will take time and might not be ultimately fixable.

Please. Watts will clearly be a better player than the most over-rated player there's ever been.

Agree with the above 100% Titan. I was amazed to see how good his hands are in close, highlighted even further by the conditions of Darwin. I have been particularly impressed by his efforts when out of position (or outnumbered) to reach the contested mark and his ability to create a 'prescence' on the opposition causing the ball to fall to ground level, negating the oppositions advantage whilst still holding his feet.

will be very intresting to see how he goes this week, I would imagine he will get taylor who is a very good player, if he holds his own it will be wondeful for his confidence.

Anyway I liked watts game on the weekend and he should take away some confidents from his first 2010 game.

Second game. He started look more confident after them 2 goals he kicked he was pumped good to see. He even had a kick on his opposite.

He has real fire in his heart this year. You can see it in his eyes.

He had a couple of kicks on his left. He's skilled on both sides.

He's not Jack Grimes though, he must be one of the best in the comp in terms of his ability on his non-preferred.

I think the go-slow approach may have been a very good thing for Jack. Being kept out of the team seems to have made him even more hungry for a taste.

I think the go-slow approach may have been a very good thing for Jack. Being kept out of the team seems to have made him even more hungry for a taste.

After being the most unfairly treated (by the media) players in the league he has now getting a heap of love, Tony Shaw is in love with him. Watson on SEN this morning had a bit to say as well. It was well played by the club to keep it all on the downlow.

Grant from the bulldogs will be in the mix for a nomination this week as well.

So will Fyfe from Fremantle, 23 possesions and he used it pretty well. I'd expect it to go to one of Fyfe, Grant or Watts.

Reckon Dustin Martin will get his nomination when Tigers have their first win, if they go winles wait for round 22.

He has real fire in his heart this year. You can see it in his eyes.

Agreed! Did you see how fired up he was after kicking one of his goals? There's no doubting he is cherishing his elevation back into the team, and super determined to hold his spot and vindicate his high draft pick.

And, what about that lightning quick gather and handpass to a player in the clear?!!

I reckon the kid has what it takes. Great to see!

Given that I've seen about 4 minutes of Saturday's game so far, far be it from me to make a big call on how rad he was on Saturday night... HOWEVA! in the 1st qtr, he crashed a pack, brought the ball to ground to i think Wona's advantage, in a clearly brilliant example of keeping his head when under immense pressure. As far as I remember, wona stuffed a kick or handball and it was turned over, but this sort of stuff from a kid in his 5th game was great to see.

He had a couple of kicks on his left. He's skilled on both sides.

He's not Jack Grimes though, he must be one of the best in the comp in terms of his ability on his non-preferred.

Scully's pretty able on both sides. In fact he'd be better than Grimes IMO.

Watts > Naitanui

Only those without any ability to assess football would disagree.

What we've seen from Watts so far is a brilliant ability at ground level, quick hands, strong contested marking and hard running. What we've also seen is a lack of AFL match fitness and a tendency to lead at the wrong time/place, but those are easily fixable.

What we've seen from Naitanui is the ability to do some freakish things (like jump over six foot tall men and run faster than them too). What we've also seen is a lack of football skills, which will take time and might not be ultimately fixable.

Please. Watts will clearly be a better player than the most over-rated player there's ever been.

These kinds of opinions are equally as bad as the premature opinions about Watts.

Arguing that Nic Nat may not be able to improve his football skills is the same as arguing that Watts may

turn out to be an average AFL player.

How about we just shut the F#*k up and enjoy the fact that we have both of these talented youngsters playing our

great sport.

These kinds of opinions are equally as bad as the premature opinions about Watts.

Arguing that Nic Nat may not be able to improve his football skills is the same as arguing that Watts may

turn out to be an average AFL player.

How about we just shut the F#*k up and enjoy the fact that we have both of these talented youngsters playing our

great sport.

If there's one thing that we've seen over and over again from plenty of players it's that an unskilled player takes time to improve his skills, and plenty of players never really overcome their shortcomings in this department. Fitness and game sense can be fixed with a lot more ease than skills can, and that might hamper Naitanui in the future.

I enjoy watching Naitanui take marks and run rings around players who should theoretically be able to catch him, but I don't believe he will be even close to as good a player as Watts will be.

I enjoy watching Naitanui take marks and run rings around players who should theoretically be able to catch him, but I don't believe he will be even close to as good a player as Watts will be.

This is getting embarrassing. Cant believe everyone has fallen for this media hyped Natanui v Watts [censored]. Naitanui is such a freak,a some what unknown talent. You cant even begin to imagine how his career will end up. Watts has played two pretty good games and shown some positive signs. Comparing the two is pointless.

This is getting embarrassing. Cant believe everyone has fallen for this media hyped Natanui v Watts [censored]. Naitanui is such a freak,a some what unknown talent. You cant even begin to imagine how his career will end up. Watts has played two pretty good games and shown some positive signs. Comparing the two is pointless.

True, he's a freak that isn't a natural footballer. He's the most overhyped player I've seen. And it's embarrassing that some flogs just toe the line. He's done nothing more, or less than I expected, having seen him a few times at junior level.

I enjoy watching Naitanui take marks

That mustn't give you a lot of enjoyment considering he only takes 1.2 marks per game. This is the most damning stat on Naitanui for mine. The bloke's 6'6", plays on the ball, jumps like a roo and runs like the wind, you'd reckon he could find a way to take a grab here and there. Just has no ability whatsoever to read the play.

So will Fyfe from Fremantle, 23 possesions and he used it pretty well. I'd expect it to go to one of Fyfe, Grant or Watts.

Reckon Dustin Martin will get his nomination when Tigers have their first win, if they go winles wait for round 22.

yeah agree can see fyfe or grant getting the nod over watts, however if watts continues on this path should be a RS nomination around the corner, FWIW i really couldnt give 2 hoots about a RS but just for the recognition be a good thing for Jack to get a nomination. If he ends up half the player riewoldt had/s become i'll be happy. still a long way too go yet, but with the midfield we are building Jack will get his chance too be whatever he wants...