http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl...0-19769,00.html

Great article on the proposed number 1 pick. I know some people want Rich but i really hope we dont pass this kid up, he sounds a marketing dream!

I like this quote-

"People won't believe how much money they will pay to go through the gates to watch him play. I've never seen anything like it," Carlton recruiting manager Wayne Hughes said at the time.

Sounds like the remedy.....if we get him!

I'll admit I don't know much about Rich, but i'd be very disappointed if we passed up this kid. We are in desperate need of a few quality talls and they are much harder to come by.

Well doesn't this mean Cartel will bust their bollocks to get him? Richmond are out of the game since Wallet needs to win a few to save his leathery hide. I hate to say it, but no matter how rancid and deserving of the first pick we may be, the Tankers hold all the aces.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl...0-19769,00.html

Great article on the proposed number 1 pick. I know some people want Rich but i really hope we dont pass this kid up, he sounds a marketing dream!

I like this quote-

"People won't believe how much money they will pay to go through the gates to watch him play. I've never seen anything like it," Carlton recruiting manager Wayne Hughes said at the time.

We have to take Naitanui

I trust Wayne Hughes implicitly.

If there is ANYONE in this country who knows more about number 1 draft picks than Wayne Hughes, I'd like to meet him.

The way some people are carrying on around here you would think that we have the wooden spoon already wrapped up. This is being a supporter?

Well doesn't this mean Cartel will bust their bollocks to get him? Richmond are out of the game since Wallet needs to win a few to save his leathery hide. I hate to say it, but no matter how rancid and deserving of the first pick we may be, the Tankers hold all the aces.

Absolutely true.

I wouldn't put it past Carlton, if they haven't won anymore games by Round 15, to start tanking hard for another quality tall.

Just hope and pray that they win 3 more games (who would have thought we'd ever wish for a Carlton victory!).

Carlton will beat Adelaide this weekend!

They are in pretty good form and the Crows are not all they are chopped up to be....

You heard it first from me.....

They don't call me KrazyJay for nothing!

however, as the new priority pick rules account for less than 8 games in two years, does that mean that because last year was the second year that this year is now the first year...

I, personally, would be more inclined to go for the midfielder in Rich. I don't think that ruckmen influence the game as much as midfielders. I think that that Rich would win you games of footy, while Naitanui is more fun to watch. But do we waste pick 1 on getting pretty hitouts, or on a dynamic goal kicking midfielder? Especially when our midfield is crying out for quality and Johnson looks like he could take over from White. I think that our main deficiencies going forward are midfield and a power forward. I don't think Naitanui helps us with either of them.

From what little I've seen of these players it will be a tough decision to make as they are so different.

I, personally, would be more inclined to go for the midfielder in Rich. I don't think that ruckmen influence the game as much as midfielders. I think that that Rich would win you games of footy, while Naitanui is more fun to watch. But do we waste pick 1 on getting pretty hitouts, or on a dynamic goal kicking midfielder? Especially when our midfield is crying out for quality and Johnson looks like he could take over from White. I think that our main deficiencies going forward are midfield and a power forward. I don't think Naitanui helps us with either of them.

From what little I've seen of these players it will be a tough decision to make as they are so different.

I hear what your saying Bob, but surely at pick 1, if not anywhere else, you have an absolute obligation to take the best player. Rich is going to be damn good by the looks of it, but Naitanui is a rare commodity, and marketable.

........but is he a better player than Rich?

That's the point that I'm trying to make. If Naitanui is the better player then great. If he isn't then I'd be all over Rich like a rash. I get a sneaking suspicion that some people will be upset on draft day when we don't take Naitanui.

Listen to those that live in WA. They're not the ones drooling over Naitanui. They're the ones drooling over Rich.

I, personally, would be more inclined to go for the midfielder in Rich. I don't think that ruckmen influence the game as much as midfielders. I think that that Rich would win you games of footy, while Naitanui is more fun to watch. But do we waste pick 1 on getting pretty hitouts, or on a dynamic goal kicking midfielder? Especially when our midfield is crying out for quality and Johnson looks like he could take over from White. I think that our main deficiencies going forward are midfield and a power forward. I don't think Naitanui helps us with either of them.

From what little I've seen of these players it will be a tough decision to make as they are so different.

The description of "The only query on Naitanui is his footy smarts" must make BP nights sleepless sometimes.

Does he go with a player with massive upside or a near certain quality footballer.

The case is building for Daniel Rich in my books.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl...0-19769,00.html

Great article on the proposed number 1 pick. I know some people want Rich but i really hope we dont pass this kid up, he sounds a marketing dream!

I like this quote-

"People won't believe how much money they will pay to go through the gates to watch him play. I've never seen anything like it," Carlton recruiting manager Wayne Hughes said at the time.

Bring on Naitanui,exactly what we need,a kid we can promote who we can build the club around and who will bring people through the turnstiles,our supporters and others,we havent had that since Jackovich! (maybe davey)

Bring on Naitanui,exactly what we need,a kid we can promote who we can build the club around and who will bring people through the turnstiles,our supporters and others,we havent had that since Jackovich! (maybe davey)

I think Naita is a lock for Melbourne. Seriously we need a marquee player and it looks like this kid will be it.

I don't think that ruckmen influence the game as much as midfielders. I think that that Rich would win you games of footy, while Naitanui is more fun to watch. But do we waste pick 1 on getting pretty hitouts, or on a dynamic goal kicking midfielder? Especially when our midfield is crying out for quality and Johnson looks like he could take over from White. I think that our main deficiencies going forward are

Has we lost one more game last year then we might have been in a position where we don't have to make a choice but could take both. As it is, your argument would be good if all that Naitanui can do is get pretty hitouts. However, what would you say if he can do that and play like Adam Goodes as well?

I think Naita is a lock for Melbourne. Seriously we need a marquee player and it looks like this kid will be it.

What pisses me off is we could have had Rich and Natanui if Carlton weren't cheats.

mind you we lost the first 10 and ended up winning 5 games.

I, personally, would be more inclined to go for the midfielder in Rich. I don't think that ruckmen influence the game as much as midfielders. I think that that Rich would win you games of footy, while Naitanui is more fun to watch. But do we waste pick 1 on getting pretty hitouts, or on a dynamic goal kicking midfielder? Especially when our midfield is crying out for quality and Johnson looks like he could take over from White. I think that our main deficiencies going forward are midfield and a power forward. I don't think Naitanui helps us with either of them.

From what little I've seen of these players it will be a tough decision to make as they are so different.

Thanks 'BOB', me to, while I would like both, I would take Rich, "the best midfielder since JUDD", the player West Coast want to shift heaven & earth to get, not Nat'.

Naitanui is a great athlete but a short ruck & opposition teams will just block his run @ the jump to the ball. Around the boundaries the opp' taller rucks will just initiate contact @ lean on him nullifying his jump or block his run-in @ the bounce/throwin.

What pisses me off is we could have had Rich and Natanui if Carlton weren't cheats.

mind you we lost the first 10 and ended up winning 5 games.

Under Pagan the BLUES had won 4 games, (16 points) when Daniher was sacked, & then riley took over that game against Carlton v the winless DEES, they were with us to half time, then we went ahead much to my discust,,,, this was the one game we didn't want to WIN, (I think round 14). A DEES loss would have put Carlton priority aspirations out the window & we then

could have pleased ourselves re the philosophy for our season remaining. I still didn't want more than 4 wins, as this year I don't.

ANOTHER GIGANTIC STUFFUP BY THE DEES HEIRACHY IN THE PAST - YEARS.

Now we must reinvigorate the list & start picking up the pieces.

Natanui for sure- we have to get the number one draft pick so that we get the best picks as they come....1,17,33, etc

and trade for picks..get rid of your chris johnsons, mark jamar who are just an absolute waste.

We will finish last this year- but we have win win situation- if we win games, its a bonus, if we lose, its one week closer to getting Natanui

I know this is such a pessimistic way of putting the season, yet we must enjoy the furthering of development to guys like Morton, Woenna, Jonesy, Col slyvia starting to finally play well!, FRAWLS, col garland, get valenti in there, get meesen in there, PJ continue to dominate when he gets back,

carlton won't finish last- they've finally after 6 years of serving up pure [censored] starting to win games

they've cheated their way to gibbs, murphy, kreuzer and judd- hope judd does his knee- shame scotland and stevens are on the wrong side of 27 ish..and they couldve had a few years with a dominant midfield

we have 16th in the bag really...west coast and port will lit..freo may be a contender for the spoon with us

However, what would you say if he can do that and play like Adam Goodes as well?

If he could do all of that then I'd say that this other kid who rucks like Naitanui and plays like Goodes will go at pick 1 before Rich and Naitanui.

being a cousin of naituni and speaking to him on msn i can say one thing for sure is that melbourne have been speaking to him! tells me he doesn't care where he plays as long as he gets drafted!

Unless Naitanui grows at least an inch (to get him to 198cm) he'll get killed by the better ruckman.

I think it's safe to assume the average height of ruckman in the WAFL is considering shorter than that in the AFL (not to mention quality).

If someone like Sandilands just bodies him he's giving away 15cm in height (not to mention arm reach) and has no hope at all of winning a hit out.

Might be mobile around the ground, but can he kick and handball?

Or is he the next Mark Bolton - 6'5", fit as anything. . . just can't play footy.

No doubting he'll go in the top 10 given the hype but could easily be a "bust" player rather than a "boom" player

The description of "The only query on Naitanui is his footy smarts" must make BP nights sleepless sometimes.

Does he go with a player with massive upside or a near certain quality footballer.

The case is building for Daniel Rich in my books.

The query is not only whether his 'smarts' are good enough, as at the level he's playing at he has a massive physical advantage over the kids he's up against, but this will deminish at the elite level. He also has queries over whether his disposal skills are good enough to stand up to the rapid pressure applied @ AFL level.

Rich on the other hand has enormous smarts killing them @ junior level @ at WAFL level last year @ this. Add to this his pace / vision / booming kick & goal smarts, he's a gem.

If in the end they were both equal, considered @ the moment, I would go for RICH as the risk is greater for a short ruckman who rests his case on being an athlete, & is not a specialised key forward.