Pick No. 1 - 2008 Draft

[Daics35Marvel]

You are the recruiting manager for a new club with pick 1 at your disposal. You don't have any specific needs to fill and are looking for the best available player. Based on what you know now, who would you pick with No. 1?

edit: My bad on the spelling of Naitanui.

 

[BONG RIPS MKII]

i'd see if i could trade it for a young gun

 

[cannons]

I'd still take Watts.

Quicker than Hill, a KPF, capable of filling out, elite at ground level, strong hands and very clean skills on both sides of his body.

He's the complete package, and as well as that, he was superior to Naitanui on the weekend, who was largely transparent aside from a couple of big grabs.

 

[jonesy86]

Going by exposed performances at AFL level... it would depend on needs basis.

I would be happy with either of Naitanui, Hill, Hartlett or Hurley who are the best ruck/outside mid/inside mid/key position players.

Can we take all 4?

 

[Desmodromico]

yazzzaaa !!!!

 

[pieman123]

Id take Beams or Sidebottom before most on that list

 

[tcwaters]

Excluding Naitanui (for obvious reasons), probably Hill or Hurley.

 

[Claude Balls]

Id take Beams or Sidebottom before most on that list

I'd take Hill and Hurley without a nanosecond's hesitation before either of those two, and Naitanui and Watts with about 1 second's hesitation.

Beams and Sidey would be in the mix with Rich and Yarran.

 

[Spartan]

I'd still take Watts.

Quicker than Hill, a KPF, capable of filling out, elite at ground level, strong hands and very clean skills on both sides of his body.

He's the complete package, and as well as that, he was superior to Naitanui on the weekend, who was largely transparent aside from a couple of big grabs.

Naitanui had one of his worst games for the season and still had more of an impact on the game than Watts.

This year Naitanui already has a BOG under his belt and is in the top bracket in the coach's award. He has already won games off his own boot.

Despite all the bullshit that Naitanui had played WAFL previously and should be a ready made player the truth is he was and still is a very raw talent. The fact that he has shown what he has shown to date just makes his potential all the more exciting.

I'd take Naitanui with pick #1 and if I had pick #2 it would be Hill.

 

[Hannabal]

I'd either take a KPF or a mid as quality rucks can be rookied.

Watts or Hurley for me, followed by Hill. I reckon Watts will have more class than Hurley, but Hurley has the mongrel and intensity that Watts needs to develop.

 

[Silvagnis]

Naitanui and leave Warnock for Melbourne because they identified that they needed a ruckman pre-draft.

Oh wait...

 

[LordJimmy]

Long term I'd look at Watts/Nata/Hill/Rich.

Went for Hill as he would have been able to contribute the most to St Kilda in 2009.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Naitanui had one of his worst games for the season and still had more of an impact on the game than Watts.

This year Naitanui already has a BOG under his belt and is in the top bracket in the coach's award. He has already won games off his own boot.

Despite all the bullshit that Naitanui had played WAFL previously and should be a ready made player the truth is he was and still is a very raw talent. The fact that he has shown what he has shown to date just makes his potential all the more exciting.

I'd take Naitanui with pick #1 and if I had pick #2 it would be Hill.

settle down... the fact is Watts played better than Naitanui on the weekend, thats all he said he didnt say anything about watts having more talent than or is clearly better so i dont know where half your post came from , and as a melbourne supporter... i have no reason not to pick watts at number one... i know naita is having fantastic season for a 2nd year player and is well on the way to validating his no.2 pick in the draft... as far as i am concerned watts has not done anything to disprove his status as no.1 so there he stays

 

[Bulldog1954]

1. Nat
2. Hill
3. Hurley

Every chance Watts could end up the best though, a hell of a long way to go. Rich is also very good, but in my opinion doesn't have the ceiling the 3 above do

 

[Andy_Mac]

Watts stocks rose significantly after the weekend. He of course has the documented athletic ability but he gave us a glimpse of an ability to compete and take a contested mark, a willingness to compete. He will build his fitness and we will see even more this year and going forward once he adds more bulk will start to have a physical presence.

NicNat is great, he has untold marketability and could really be anything, but in the games I’ve seen live he has some tricks but other than that is still way to inconsistent. He is still a risk. Also I see Nic really struggling with his weight in 5-10 years time. He is going to be a very very big boy...

Hill is a jet. I love his work. He could/probably will be an elite mid in years to come.

Hurley has hit the ground running. Has been the best KPF to date from the draft. Has the added ability to play as a key back as well. With hindsight he is the only other player i would have wanted Melbourne to look at.

Rich. Is a man child and has played accordingly. For mine he really is just another mid first round midfielder. Not a number 1 draft pick.

Yarran is coming alone nicely and I really like the look of Phil Davis!

 

[parrot]

Chris Yarran's the most talented player from that draft, and you should always use a first round pick on the best talent available. Nic Nat ain't far behind - an outstanding athlete still learning the game though. Hurley would be 3. Hill 4. I guess Watts at 5. Not sure about the rest.

 

[Damon_3388]

Who the heck picked Tyrone Vickery in the poll?

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Hill, think he will become the best player in the game at some point in his career.

 

[blitzer]

I have trouble splitting Hill, Hurley and Naitanui. They each play different positions and are different types of players but i would like them all. Honestly any of those 3 i would have no problem with. I reckon all 3 will go on to become stars. Also in 5 years time when we finally see how everyone is going to turn out, i reckon it may be regarded as one of the best drafts ever, because wow that top end talent is awesome.

 

[TigerTime88]

I'd still take Watts.

Quicker than Hill, a KPF, capable of filling out, elite at ground level, strong hands and very clean skills on both sides of his body.

He's the complete package, and as well as that, he was superior to Naitanui on the weekend, who was largely transparent aside from a couple of big grabs.

No chance...maybe he use to be but Hill is way quicker now..watched Watts on the weekend and he wasn't that quick.

Hill will be a star and I would take him at 1.

 

[saj_21]

Watts stocks rose significantly after the weekend. He of course has the documented athletic ability but he gave us a glimpse of an ability to compete and take a contested mark, a willingness to compete. He will build his fitness and we will see even more this year and going forward once he adds more bulk will start to have a physical presence.

NicNat is great, he has untold marketability and could really be anything, but in the games I’ve seen live he has some tricks but other than that is still way to inconsistent. He is still a risk. Also I see Nic really struggling with his weight in 5-10 years time. He is going to be a very very big boy...

Hill is a jet. I love his work. He could/probably will be an elite mid in years to come.

Hurley has hit the ground running. Has been the best KPF to date from the draft. Has the added ability to play as a key back as well. With hindsight he is the only other player i would have wanted Melbourne to look at.

Rich. Is a man child and has played accordingly. For mine he really is just another mid first round midfielder. Not a number 1 draft pick.

Yarran is coming alone nicely and I really like the look of Phil Davis!

I agree with this post, particularly with the taking Hurley instead of Watts as our next best option.

Watts played a better game (marginally) than Natia on the weekend, he took a couple of great grabs but apart from that didnt have much influence on the game (nor did watts have a big influence). But of course im not implying that becos Watts played a better than Natia so therefore Watts>Natia. Time will tell who was the right choice.

 

[Daics35Marvel]

It's funny how perceptions change pretty quickly. I'm guessing at this stage last year more than one person would have selected Daniel Rich while Yarran wouldn't have the support now shown. We're always way too quick to judge young players. Will be interesting revisiting this pole in another year.

 

[Hannabal]

No chance...maybe he use to be but Hill is way quicker now..watched Watts on the weekend and he wasn't that quick.

Hill will be a star and I would take him at 1.

Watts tested faster than Hill at DC. He just hasn't learnt how to use his pace yet, as he's still adjusting to the tempo of the game.

Anyone remember Hill's first few games ?

 

[Sin City]

Id take Beams or Sidebottom before most on that list

Which is why Collingwood never win premierships. Too many average to good players and no star quality.

 

[Greg Brady]

Watts tested faster than Hill at DC. He just hasn't learnt how to use his pace yet, as he's still adjusting to the tempo of the game.

Anyone remember Hill's first few games ?

I remember his first ever game (NAB cup) against Richmond. Did some very good things including getting the ball on the wing, having two or three bounces going at a sprint then proceded to kick the goal from 55m about 5m in from the boundary.

I also remember Watts' first game. And dont make the excuse Watts was too raw etc. Hill IIRC wasnt even 70kgs when he first played.

gb