Remove this Banner Ad

Naitanui

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jimi
  • Start date Start date
  • Tagged users Tagged users None

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Jimi

Draftee
Melbourne Demons - Dominic Barry 2013 Player Sponsor Melbourne Demons - Jeremy Howe 2013 Player Sponsor
Joined
Oct 10, 2004
Posts
2,521
Reaction score
1,615
Fijian flyer Naitanui thrills clubs

Trevor Woodhouse and Jay Clark | March 09, 2008 12:00am


NICHOLAS Naitanui will bring an athleticism so far unseen in the AFL when he is picked, probably at No. 1, in this year's national draft.

So powerful is the 17-year-old's leap, he could represent his native Fiji in the Beijing Olympics high jump.

He cleared the island nation's qualifying mark of 2m at a school athletics meet last year.

Naitanui also left University of Western Australia testers flabbergasted, jumping higher than their equipment could record at a routine screening.

He has the sort of talent that prompted one AFL recruiter to say, tongue-in-cheek, "He is almost worth tanking the whole season".

Naitanui will play in the WAFL this season with Swan Districts, but club officials did not want to comment on plans for him this season. Spectators last weekend watched the draft ace turn a WAFL game on his own, pinch-hitting in the ruck.

West Coast recruiting manager Trevor Woodhouse said he could not think of another player like Naitanui, who is 196cm but growing.

"He is very exciting, because I can't see how anyone can outjump him, I seriously can't," Woodhouse said.

"He's rucked against the Kreuzers of the world, and the other 199-201cm ruckmen, and he nearly clears them by a foot."

For someone his height, Naitanui's ground skills and feverish second and third efforts are also impressive.

According to Champion Data, he was the No. 1 hitout winner at the 2007 under-18 championships, where he averaged 11 possessions and five hard-ball gets a game.

Naitanui is also highly marketable, with dread-locked hair and an exuberant playing style.

"Being Fijian, with the different hairstyle, and jumping on people's heads -- you'd think he will be a team favourite wherever he ends up," Woodhouse said.

"They've always got a long way to go, but at this stage he looks like someone who has got their head screwed on, and he is a nice kid."
Click to expand...

Come on down mate.
 
We like to bag Carlton, but if we finish with less then 4 wins this year and miss out on a priority pick because of Rnd 22 2007 - ill be dead set filthy.
 

Log in to remove this Banner Ad

At this rate we won't have to tank to get him.

Couple of questions, can the dude kick (probably wont be able to if he comes to Melbourne).

Does he run around like an idiot with no idea what he's meant to be doing (like Jeff White)
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Deenamite said:
We only need him to hold down 1. Juice can take the other 3.
Click to expand...
Agreed, if the big Newt can just be patrolling the forward 50 all we need is a backline, ruckman, a few star midfielders and we're set.
As for Mr Naitanui, we should probly get him down to the club to get him familiar with his surroundings and then give him a 5 year deal although he'll get injured and retire Aaron Hamill style.
 
The great white hope.

getfile.aspx


Hey! Wait a minute.

Is Teranewi from WA?
 
Deenamite said:
I want Hurley. Star KPP and can play FB/CHB/CHF/FF.
Click to expand...

same here.. id love to pick up hurley.. but id also like picking up naitanui.. (presuming we finish last)maybe we can send a nice package to carlton/richmond for their number 2 pick so we do get both? haha just throwing it out there.
 

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

TURKEY92 said:
same here.. id love to pick up hurley.. but id also like picking up naitanui.. (presuming we finish last)maybe we can send a nice package to carlton/richmond for their number 2 pick so we do get both? haha just throwing it out there.
Click to expand...


Yeah we will gladly take Block McLean off your hands for pick No. 2....provided you throw in a Malvern Star!!!
 
If we get no.1 draft pick and melbourne don't choose 'natanui' thats the day i will burn my Dee's jursey! this kid is said to be the most amazing player that they have ever seen come threw the draft!
 
I can't belive some of the talk going on on this board at the moment:eek:


Although it would be awesome to see him in the red & blue.


naitanui180.jpg
 
You won't get him.

If you finish last Carlton will still get the PP and steal your #1 pick (like us in 2007).

Either way, there is no chance of seeing Naitanui at Melbourne... hopefully you won't be that bad all year anyway.

The Kangas lost the first 3 games last year and went on to finish top 4...
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Remove this Banner Ad

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Back
Top Bottom