I don't disagree with what you say, and really like NWM as a player.Just stumbled on this discussion and while I agree with most of what you guys from over the border are saying about what would happen in a trade for NWM next year (if he was to request a trade to you guys- ie, there’s pretty much no way known you would trade the guy you get at pick 4 this year, and that because he’s out of contract, we’d probably get a pick around 8 for him), but I think you’re underestimating how good he already is. And not taking into account the fact that most guys in their 4th year are considerably better than they were in their 3rd.
A few facts.
-He’s just had back-to-back top 5 B&F finishes (at a team that’s won as many games as they’ve lost across those two years, playing finals in one of them) at the ages of 20 and 21.
That suggests he’s more than just a talented guy who’s shown some promise. He’s already one of his teams very best players. Consistently.
-He received 35 coaches votes this year.
To put that into perspective, despite most of their teams winning more games than his (giving them more golden opportunities for votes) here are the numbers of a few similar types.
Luke Ryan (AA)- 24 votes
Dan Houston (AA)- 26 votes
Jordan Clark (AA squad)- 30 votes
Nick Blakey (AA squad)- 40 votes
Lachie Whitfield (AA)- 41 votes
Dayne Zorko (AA)- 43 votes
Jack Sinclair (AA squad)- 44 votes
All of the above would suggest that Nas (with 35 coaches votes) could very very easily have been in the AA squad this year.
Despite being much younger than most of them and 3 years younger than the two youngest. In fact, that’s probably why he missed.
He’s miles ahead of where most of them were at the same age. The only one that would have been within cooee at the same age was Whitfield.
-It was reported in June that Champion Data rated him the no.1 field kick in the league, ahead of the likes of Gulden (2), Dale (3), Blakey (5), Zorko (6) and Jordan (10).
He’s already a genuine weapon who can cut teams up and yet he’s played just 3 seasons of footy.
If he improves the same sort of amount in his 4th year as most do at that age, he’s a dead-cert to be in the AA squad next year at a bare minimum.
I just don't think that the Crows' needs make us the club to pay you what he's worth.
Your best bet is to pay him too much to leave. I also don't think that he's the flight risk that your compatriot assumes that he is.