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Also he'll be in the AA squad no doubt about it. Healy and Jako will make sure of that
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AFLW 2024 - Round 6 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Opinion Nic Naitanui's year?
- Thread starter eaglespremiers
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Having 22 goals compared to Jacobs and Maric with 6 and 7 respectively will certainly count in his favour.
I imagine he'll probably make the AA squad but probably not the 22.
With regard to the quality of his season; given his progress this year I can't see him not being the best ruck in the comp within a couple of years.
He has consistently improved every aspect of his game since we drafted him. He's now a better mark, a better kick, better tap ruckman, is stronger, more physical, more confident and kicks more goals. I have no reason to suspect such improvement won't continue.
I think the area of his game that holds him back the most is fitness and a consequential inability to chase and get to contests. I know we shouldn't expect a guy at 201cm to have elite endurance but I think it's something that should be focussed on so he can get more possessions and tackles, and be more prepared to shoulder more ruck work once Cox retires.
I imagine he'll probably make the AA squad but probably not the 22.
With regard to the quality of his season; given his progress this year I can't see him not being the best ruck in the comp within a couple of years.
He has consistently improved every aspect of his game since we drafted him. He's now a better mark, a better kick, better tap ruckman, is stronger, more physical, more confident and kicks more goals. I have no reason to suspect such improvement won't continue.
I think the area of his game that holds him back the most is fitness and a consequential inability to chase and get to contests. I know we shouldn't expect a guy at 201cm to have elite endurance but I think it's something that should be focussed on so he can get more possessions and tackles, and be more prepared to shoulder more ruck work once Cox retires.
Worth a quick read. Hope all the 'nic nat no stat' sayers read it!!!!
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/145888/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/145888/default.aspx
^ from that article...
Ochre
:o
Anything on his intercept marking between rounds 8 and 11?^ from that article...
An interesting stat I just looked up is his marking. Only averages 3 per game which is way down our list. But averages a bit over 2 contested marks which is second on our list only after Kennedy. And quite a fair way above 3rd. I guess this along with his contested possessions highlights that he doesn't really get into space very often. Perhaps one part of his game he can improve.
The Falcon Strike
Hall of Famer
He's 6th in the league for contested marking and number 1 for genuine ruckmen
His contested game has always been his feature. He'd get more praise from the brainless football fans if he stood in a back pocket and got 5-6 uncontested marks and kicks a game with no influence on the contest.
The Falcon Strike
Hall of Famer
FWIW he's the leading ruckman in the coaches votes with 43
His second half of the year has been phenomenal for a 22 year old ruckman, polling the 5th most votes of anyone in the league from rd 12 onwards.
His second half of the year has been phenomenal for a 22 year old ruckman, polling the 5th most votes of anyone in the league from rd 12 onwards.
did you read the article cause IIRC there is something in there about intercept marks within a timeframe. Someone at AFL.com trolling Wonna?
EDIT: "On Saturday night he had a team high 7 intercept possessions"
If he keeps that up rounds through 22 - 23 it will be time to go back to those threads and give Wonna the cold hard facts.
Ochre
:o
Forward Press
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Every day I praise God/Allah/Buddha/Thor/Flying Spaghetti Monster that Melbourne took Watts that fateful day in 2008.
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not only that, but also that they didnt listen to me and take rich!
That just gives him more time to prepare his reply.
Ochre
:o
But you still know it'll be edited 3 or 4 times anyway.
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NN is having an outstanding season and I could definitely see him going AA. I think the selectors will shy away from selecting both Cox and NN and Cox has been sensational and is a sure fire bet for AA, so this year, I think he will miss out. Do I think he deserves to miss out? Definitely not.
Would you trade NN for Jacobs or Maric? Hahahah... no. A big part of a ruckmens game is to go forward and use their size to impact a contest and kick goals. Maric and Jacobs have just 6 and 7 goals for the season. NN has kicked 22 goals, that's over three times more than either Jacobs or Maric.
It's a shame but I think he will miss out despite IMO deserving selection. But personal accolades arent important, we all know if not this year, then next year he will go AA. This season has been his almost coming out party. Next season will be the blow your hair back season I think. When he puts it all together and I say when, not if, he is going to be nigh on impossible to stop.
He's slowly putting it altogether and sooner rather than later, 20 possession games, goals galore, massive marks, tackles, HO's, just everything is going to become a weekly occurance. The sky is the limit. I absolutely cant begin to fathom why Melbourne Football Club would ever entertain the thought of taking anybody before NN. Thank the footy gods that they were amazingly stupid.
He'll win everything.
Would you trade NN for Jacobs or Maric? Hahahah... no. A big part of a ruckmens game is to go forward and use their size to impact a contest and kick goals. Maric and Jacobs have just 6 and 7 goals for the season. NN has kicked 22 goals, that's over three times more than either Jacobs or Maric.
It's a shame but I think he will miss out despite IMO deserving selection. But personal accolades arent important, we all know if not this year, then next year he will go AA. This season has been his almost coming out party. Next season will be the blow your hair back season I think. When he puts it all together and I say when, not if, he is going to be nigh on impossible to stop.
He's slowly putting it altogether and sooner rather than later, 20 possession games, goals galore, massive marks, tackles, HO's, just everything is going to become a weekly occurance. The sky is the limit. I absolutely cant begin to fathom why Melbourne Football Club would ever entertain the thought of taking anybody before NN. Thank the footy gods that they were amazingly stupid.
He'll win everything.
We'll come 4th or 5th and that is probably worth 2 or 3 AA selections. Priddis won't make it. Neither will our forwards. Glass, NicNat & Cox seems reasonable.
Waters is almost a lock i reckon, if i was selecting the AA team it would look something like this -
FB: Gibson Richards Glass
HB: Waters McPharlin Birchall
C: Cotchin Watson Ablett
HF: Dangerfield Franklin Beams
FF: Cox Pavlich Milne
R: Naitanui Thompson Kennedy
I: Jack, Pendlebury, J.Selwood , Swan
Could probably swap a few mids around, there is a lot to pick from.
FB: Gibson Richards Glass
HB: Waters McPharlin Birchall
C: Cotchin Watson Ablett
HF: Dangerfield Franklin Beams
FF: Cox Pavlich Milne
R: Naitanui Thompson Kennedy
I: Jack, Pendlebury, J.Selwood , Swan
Could probably swap a few mids around, there is a lot to pick from.
Birchall so good he makes it twice.
, fixed
I agree completely with the bolded part. I'd also add that had NN avoided his few rather conspicuous quiet games then the selection committee may have had no choice but to put him in the team.
I am extremely excited to watch this incredible player dominate in the blue and gold for the next ten years.
I have just checked out the AA squad and no Naitanui, unbelievable that the most influencial big man the game has seen for at least 20 years isn't even in the squad. I sit down every week and watch the WCE not because I like them but because of the enjoyment of watching this guy play.
I know Cox is a terrifc player and has been for a decade but for some reason the Eastern state "experts" still believe he is the fist ruck for WCE. I certainly believe that baton has been passed.
I know Cox is a terrifc player and has been for a decade but for some reason the Eastern state "experts" still believe he is the fist ruck for WCE. I certainly believe that baton has been passed.
The Falcon Strike
Hall of Famer
No you didn't - it was just some journo's take on who might be a chance
So sorry you are correct, I received the AFL newsletter and the heading was 'The players in All Australian contention from your club" and incorrectly assumed it was the squad.
For the record i believe both Cox and Naitanui should be All Australians in 2012.
The moderator can delete my previous post if it confuses people.
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