What is Roos going to say about Watts? Watts is talented, he has a lot of potential but very little of it has been unlocked so far. He was an important signing for the club. He was victimised by the previous coach. Of course Roos is going to pump him up and then get to work developing him. So far he's 1 good game, 2 just ok ones, 1 shocker. Not many have height, speed and the occasional perfect silky kick but outside mid who doesn't rack up many touches, doesn't win contested ball, doesn't tackle etc, they are a dime a dozen.

Here's Nic Nat winning a game. Can you remember it?

One man clearances, goals out of the ruck, perfect forward ruck taps, big marks.

Right now due to form or injury or both he's a very average player. But he's had runs of form particularly in 2011 and 2012 where even with little on the stats sheets by marks or possessions he's been a very good player. No way is he worth 1mil per year. Yes his AA was pretty soft, I didn't agree with it. No way can you confidently say he's a future star as his development has stalled. But he's still got all that's needed to be an above average ruckman, he's already been that and the highlights package is just a bonus.

This is precisely the problem with people who rate Naitanui.

You've cited two one-off instances of performance and tried to extrapolate that into 'he's a great player'.

First of all, how is kicking a goal after the siren indicative of anything other than chance? That kick, by the way, should never have happened, with the free kick issue going on just before it.

Second of all, yes, that run and goal is a great bit of highly athletic and talented play. But that's all people ever talk about with him, the one-offs and the highlights reel. What about the other 99.99% of the time? He does nothing, that's what. And no one cares, because people get caught up in his highlights reel.

His poor performance right now is not purely injury based. He simply isn't that good a player.

I can see where everyone is coming from but I just don't see enough to justify the plaudits that he gets.

He is a matchwinner, but doesn't do it often.

Players that are asking to be paid what he is asking, do more than he does, more consistently.

He really should not have been AA last year but that has been a bit of running parody of itself for a while now.

As I said before, NicNat doesn't read the game. Outside of stoppages, usually in the wrong position. A lot of his possessions are gathered from blind luck where the unpredictable nature of the balls bounce and travel falls haphazardly in his path. His athleticism and imposing stature make them look far better than what they are. Just does not seem to fit in the fabric of the game. Like loosely meshed gaudy thread in a tight knit cloth.

Edited April 16, 201411 yr by america de cali

it was a joke he made all Australian, Jacobs should have been number 1 ruck in 2012 and it was between Cox & Maric for the next spot if there was to be a second specialist ruckman. But from memory Petrie had a very good year in 2012 and could have been given a spot on the bench or in the forward pocket as a pinch hitter in the ruck.

The AFL loves good news stories and the conspirator in me thinks Natanui was given the multicultural nod

Here is another one close to our hearts.

How come a $1million pa player who struggles to hold his place gets no mention.

Imagine if he was still at the Dees!

should have been the marathon man. cause he not the best at footy

I can see where everyone is coming from but I just don't see enough to justify the plaudits that he gets.

He is a matchwinner, but doesn't do it often.

Players that are asking to be paid what he is asking, do more than he does, more consistently.

He really should not have been AA last year but that has been a bit of running parody of itself for a while now.

AA ruckman! was not even the best ruckman at WCE. 2013

Nic nat 20th for hit outs.

571 less hit outs than Will Minson

222 less disposals & 320 less hit outs than Dean Cox

He had less hit outs than Jamar

12th best for disposals of the top 20 ruckmen

10th best for fantasy points of the top 20 ruckmen

12th best effective disposal %

6th best cont mark average of top 20 ruckmen

5th best tackles average of top 20 ruckmen

4th best goals average of top 20 ruckmen

13th best goal assists of top 20 ruckmen

This is comparing him to ruckmen, he is worse compared to KPP or other onballers.

Unbelievably overrated.

All Australian in 2012, not 2013.

All Australian in 2012, not 2013.

Egg on face! me?

All that work to prove I am a dill.

Edit:-I was responding to rpfc who stated it was last year. I should have checked.

I thought Will Minsons stats looked good.

Edit 2 spelling.

Edited April 17, 201411 yr by ManDee

Now do it for 2012

Now do it for 2012

You must think I don't have a life.

Egg on face! me?

All that work to prove I am a dill.

Edit:-I was responding to rpfc who stated it was last year. I should have checked.

I though Will Minsons stats looked good.

I got in with the 2013 AA statement before rpfc. So blame me, not him.

2012

Nic Nat

200 less hit outs than Sam Jacobs

98 less disposals & 88 less hit outs than Dean Cox

8th for hitouts

6th best for disposals of the top 20 ruckmen

5th best for fantasy points of the top 20 ruckmen

equal 10th best effective disposal % of the top 20 ruckmen

equal 11th best cont mark average of top 20 ruckmen

6th best tackles average of top 20 ruckmen

equal 2nd best goals average of top 20 ruckmen

equal 3rd best goal assists of top 20 ruckmen

Edit:- I suppose this proves I don't have a life.

Edited April 17, 201411 yr by ManDee

I got in with the 2013 AA statement before rpfc. So blame me, not him.

Blame myself.

Check first, shoot later.

Your posts are so one sided. His stats for that year were:

13 disposals a game

10 contested a game

24 hitouts a game

2.9 clearances a game

1.1 goals a game

3.4 tackles a game

As an all round performance, you'd happily take that. With Jacobs you get more hitouts but less contribution in most other areas, particularly scoring and assists.

Was it an AA year? No. But he is not the total spud you and others are claiming him to be. Stop being so precious.

Some would call Jack Riewoldt a match winner. Against the bottom 4-6 teams he might be that but often goes missing when the heat is in against quality opposition. Exactly was he wasn't an automatic selection for AA when he won the Coleman.

Egg on face! me?

All that work to prove I am a dill.

, not all the work,proved that.

Maybe i will, but one reason he is being thrown in the ruck is because he stands 202cm and weighs in at 103kg and is already physically able to compete in the ruck at a young age, which along with a good second effort seem his only real attributes. I was offering no comparison to our ruck stocks. Just commenting that he is hyped in the media and many people seem to think he is the second coming of Simon Madden when in fact his stats say that this year he is the worst performed first ruckman in the competion to date and last year he was reasonably performed but no star. I suppose im wondering, aside from his imposing physical credentials and pompom hairstyle, what is so good about him? He rarely wins more hitouts than his opponent, has kicked 1 goal in 11 games and has committed 36 clangers and taken only 23 marks. Where he seems to be very good is as a tackler post ruckwork. Again, not saying he will not be good, but dont see why he is so acclaimed at the moment and i would be very surprised if Witts doesnt supplant him in the upcoming weeks,

Interesting watching the Collingwood vs North match, as I have been keeping an eye on Grundy.

14 hit outs in a full game and no marks. Saw him drop a couple too under fairly modest pressure. He'll be an interesting one to watch.

Buckley got ahead of himself and put far too much on Grundy's shoulders.

Is Hudson injured? He should be elevated ASAP.

Some would call Jack Riewoldt a match winner. Against the bottom 4-6 teams he might be that but often goes missing when the heat is in against quality opposition. Exactly was he wasn't an automatic selection for AA when he won the Coleman.

I like to call him other things.