Side note: might need more than two blokes if they want to chair him off.
Nic Naitanui Retires
- Thread starter Biggie
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- Aug 15, 2009
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I was lucky enough to see a few special game winning moments from nicnat.
that hawthorn game, that Nth game.
what stands out for me, is watching live, whenever he went to the bench, it was like the rest of team shrunk 6 inches in height, they looked a bit deflated, but then whenever he came back on, they rose like giants, to be bigger than reality. I’ve never seen anyone have that effect.
that hawthorn game, that Nth game.
what stands out for me, is watching live, whenever he went to the bench, it was like the rest of team shrunk 6 inches in height, they looked a bit deflated, but then whenever he came back on, they rose like giants, to be bigger than reality. I’ve never seen anyone have that effect.
Can we just create a new thread with only Nic Nat gifs and highlights for viewing pleasure?
You realise the impact he has had on the club when my daughter, who is 9, and never watched an eagles game with NicNat playing, gets so upset when I tell her NicNat is retired.
Her reaction: No! Now I’ll never get to see him play!
His gravity to drawing fans to the game is immense.
Enjoy retirement big man.
Her reaction: No! Now I’ll never get to see him play!
His gravity to drawing fans to the game is immense.
Enjoy retirement big man.
Nic Nat and Buddy retiring. Two of the "must see" players live over the last 10-15 years.
Was lucky enough to be at the GWS game where Nic Nat kicked the goal to win the game.
Was lucky enough to be at the GWS game where Nic Nat kicked the goal to win the game.
- Sep 21, 2004
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Then i have to scroll past all you muppets having a cry!
It's hard to see through my own tears.
- Sep 21, 2004
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- 26,196
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- Other Teams
- Norwood & Liverpool.
Even though he didn't play he definitely contributed to the 2018 flag.
Reckon he'd still get an invite to the reunions
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Reckon he'd still get an invite to the reunions
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- Sep 21, 2004
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- Norwood & Liverpool.
WA footy mad
Team Captain
- Apr 21, 2022
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This should never happen again to this footy club, all retiring players Nat, Hurn, Shuey have been fantastic for the club, but holding onto our aging champions has placed us in this position. All players from now on over 27 only get a 1 year contract if they don't like it they can leave. They will trigger another year contract if they play a specific amount of games in that year. Hopefully the club has learnt a lot out of the past few years.
- Sep 21, 2004
- 37,273
- 26,196
- AFL Club
- West Coast
- Other Teams
- Norwood & Liverpool.
They won't.
But the new wave can begin now.
Hope we can draft a few gems over the next couple of years
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This is madness. All premiership teams have a solid core over 27 and being offered only 1 year contracts would see them all leave.
Hurn has been good and durable. Nic Nat and Shuey have been betrayed by their bodies, but they haven't exactly been stopping us rejuvenating our list.
I always saw Naitanui as one of the most influential players in the game when at his best, if not the most influential. Criminally under-rated by people who can't appreciate the value of players whose best work is not measured in kick-mark-handball type stats. His career has imo gone under-awarded for this reason. Naitanui was a wrecking ball on the ground whose ruck work was as good as we have seen.
It was tragic for Eagles that the second half of his career was riven with major injuries, and this alone may have stopped the club adding to its 2018 Premiership haul. Truly great and unique player.
I will always remember him as a player who caused Eagles to surge ahead in otherwise even matches with 5 minute bursts of repeat goals out of centre clearances. I can't recall another player ever doing this to the extent of Naitanui. Seems a terrific person too. Sad to think we won't see him play again.
It was tragic for Eagles that the second half of his career was riven with major injuries, and this alone may have stopped the club adding to its 2018 Premiership haul. Truly great and unique player.
I will always remember him as a player who caused Eagles to surge ahead in otherwise even matches with 5 minute bursts of repeat goals out of centre clearances. I can't recall another player ever doing this to the extent of Naitanui. Seems a terrific person too. Sad to think we won't see him play again.
Daniel Kerr shrugged past three players with laughable ease, now we have players who stop and drop on site.
Subiaco was outdated but the atmosphere there when the Eagles were up and about will never be matched at Optus.
Someone else posted this elsewhere and it's just fake *ing news
The atmosphere at Optus in the first final against Collingwood in 2018 was better than anything I ever experienced at Subi
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- Sep 21, 2004
- 37,273
- 26,196
- AFL Club
- West Coast
- Other Teams
- Norwood & Liverpool.
Yeah when we are up and flying either is brilliant. I'm guessing, never been to Optus
It's the same with crows/Port at Footy Park/AO.
Footy Park was very intimidating when the crowd got the home team going. Much like Subi
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It's the same with crows/Port at Footy Park/AO.
Footy Park was very intimidating when the crowd got the home team going. Much like Subi
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Fair play. During the H&A I reckon Subi got pumping more than Optus. Finals are a different ball game though.
Atmosphere at Optus probably sucks because we keep getting beaten and aren't playing in games that matter.
Note: i live in Sydney and haven't been to Optus, but was at the first final at Subi against Hawks in 1991 and other big games. Subi sucked.
Note: i live in Sydney and haven't been to Optus, but was at the first final at Subi against Hawks in 1991 and other big games. Subi sucked.
Sad to see the end of a glittering career. I never met Nic but, from the esteem in which he’s universally held, he must be an even better person than he was a player. Nic, I’m sure your mother would be so proud of you and your achievements, thanks for everything.
So people know in relation to the rest of the league and every player in it Nicnat's impact rating for the 2021 season was not only the highest for the year but the largest difference in regards to impact between first and second in the league since the stat has been recorded. For someone post 2 knee reconstructions considering all the great players in the league I think this shows that even statistically his best was in a league of it's own.
I will remember the marks, the chase downs, the taps and all the things that made him exciting but that desire to dominate and ability to do so with a failing body is just first class. He truly intimidated even the greats from other clubs. We really were one elite inside mid and a fit Nicnat away from an all time dynasty.
I will remember the marks, the chase downs, the taps and all the things that made him exciting but that desire to dominate and ability to do so with a failing body is just first class. He truly intimidated even the greats from other clubs. We really were one elite inside mid and a fit Nicnat away from an all time dynasty.
My 5 year old son doesn't really watch footy but loves Nic Nat. Trying to explain that he can't play anymore because his leg is too sore, he just looks at me really worried:
"Has he died?"
"Has he died?"
We all knew it was coming, but we all hoped that we'd see him play at least once more, even if just for a well earn't farewell game 
I will forever feel fortunate to have been there on that wet & wild night at Subi, Round 13 in 2009, for his first game at home. Taunting Campbell Brown, 3 kicks, 3 goals, (even going for a bounce) & throwing his hands up to the crowd in acknowledgement... we knew we had something special.
He was in Bunbury for a meet & greet only a few days later, an opportunity i did not miss, although it was a little confusing asking him to sign "To Hawks" (my nick name)
Our love for him has only grown over his career, the way he gave it his all, the way he conducted himself, and the way he made everyone else on the team walk taller. It's not just us that love him, so do the kids... ALL the kids love him.
I am so glad that I got my daughter, Matilda, to a game to see him play. Round 12, 2020 - once again against the Hawks!
My heart broke for you on Grand Final day, 2018, but you kept your chin up, and you were so genuinely happy for the guys when we got over the line to claim the ultimate prize.
I am so happy that you found Brittany, and love seeing the photos of you with your son, with a daughter on the way.
All the best big fella, thanks for everything.
I will forever feel fortunate to have been there on that wet & wild night at Subi, Round 13 in 2009, for his first game at home. Taunting Campbell Brown, 3 kicks, 3 goals, (even going for a bounce) & throwing his hands up to the crowd in acknowledgement... we knew we had something special.
He was in Bunbury for a meet & greet only a few days later, an opportunity i did not miss, although it was a little confusing asking him to sign "To Hawks" (my nick name)
Our love for him has only grown over his career, the way he gave it his all, the way he conducted himself, and the way he made everyone else on the team walk taller. It's not just us that love him, so do the kids... ALL the kids love him.
I am so glad that I got my daughter, Matilda, to a game to see him play. Round 12, 2020 - once again against the Hawks!
My heart broke for you on Grand Final day, 2018, but you kept your chin up, and you were so genuinely happy for the guys when we got over the line to claim the ultimate prize.
I am so happy that you found Brittany, and love seeing the photos of you with your son, with a daughter on the way.
All the best big fella, thanks for everything.
Such a mixed bag that group.
Mitch Brown's super serious stare is rather amusing to me for some reason.
