Nick Naitanui
Encyclopedia
Nicholas "Nic" Naitanui (born 4 May 1990 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian rules football
er, currently playing with the West Coast Eagles
in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
), just two years after they first migrated to Australia. As a one year old, Nic’s father died, contributing to Nic’s mother’s decision to move her family to Perth, Western Australia where her brother lived.
Naitanui attended Governor Stirling Senior High School
and played football there, as well as for his club, the Swan Districts
Colts (underage) side in the West Australian Football League
(WAFL). As a teenager he played football alongside Chris Yarran
and Michael Walters
, who both lived on the seemingly innocuous Bushby St in the suburb of Midvale
and were later taken in the same AFL draft as Naitanui. During his time in junior and colts football, Nic played predominantly in the ruck, however he also was used on the wing or at full-back.
In the 2007 Under-18 AFL National Championships, Naitanui was dominant in the ruck for Western Australia, and was named Best On Ground in the final. Following his performance, he was hotly pursued by several AFL clubs. However, he was born just a few days too late to qualify for the 2007 AFL draft. He was named in the Under-18 All-Australian Team
in both 2007 and 2008, and was awarded a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport
to become a member of the AIS/AFL Academy Squad.
A much-hyped Naitanui was invited to the 2008 AFL Draft Camp and his results were impressive. He managed to equal the running vertical jump record previously set by Jared Brennan
, but just fell short of Trent Croad
's standing jump record. His sprint, agility and endurance tests were also impressive.
Many media commentators believed that Naitanui was in contention to be taken as the number 1 pick in the 2008 AFL Draft
. The Melbourne Football Club
, who retained that pick, had looked at Naitanui, but raised concerns about his skill level, in particular his kicking, and instead selected Victorian Jack Watts
.
by the West Coast Eagles
.
As a highly rated future player by John Worsfold
, Naitanui was given the number 9 guernsey, becoming the first West Coast Eagles player to wear the number since Brownlow Medal
ist and former captain Ben Cousins
left the club at the end of the 2007 season. His first game at the senior level was on 13 June 2009 when he was named to play against Richmond in game 12 of the 2009 season.
His career suffered a setback, however, during pre-season training when he experienced knee soreness and had precautionary surgery.
Naitanui impressed enough in the WAFL in a game where he accumulated 15 possessions, 21 hit-outs, 4 goals and a spectacular mark, to earn his selection in the Round 12 against Richmond at Etihad Stadium.
His debut game impressed many, demonstrating his athletic ability with another spectacular mark as well as 3 kicks, 8 handballs, 3 marks and 7 hitouts. In his second game against premiers Hawthorn at Subiaco, Naitanui was quiet for the first three quarters but dazzled in the fourth, kicking three goals and leading his team to a come-from-behind win.
Natanui was honoured with a nomination for the NAB Rising Star in Round 4, 2010 in the West Coast Eagles win over the Essendon Bombers, a match where Natanui dominated with 13 disposals, 5 tackles and 17 hitouts. Naitanui took out the West Coast's Rookie of the Year Award for the 2010 Season and finished fifth in the 2010 Club Champion Award.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er, currently playing with the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
Early life
Naitanui and his twin brother Mark were born in Sydney to Fijian parents (his mother, Ateca and father Bola, are from Suvavou, a small village near SuvaSuva
Suva features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation during the course of the year. Suva averages 3,000 mm of precipitation annually with its driest month, July averaging 125 mm of rain per year. In fact,...
), just two years after they first migrated to Australia. As a one year old, Nic’s father died, contributing to Nic’s mother’s decision to move her family to Perth, Western Australia where her brother lived.
Naitanui attended Governor Stirling Senior High School
Governor Stirling Senior High School
Governor Stirling Senior High School is a secondary education facility from years 8 to 12 located in Woodbridge, Western Australia, providing both vocational and tertiary entrance education.- History :...
and played football there, as well as for his club, the Swan Districts
Swan Districts Football Club
The Swan Districts Football Club, nicknamed the Swans, is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League . The club is based at Bassendean Oval, in Bassendean, an eastern suburb of Perth, Western Australia...
Colts (underage) side in the West Australian Football League
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
(WAFL). As a teenager he played football alongside Chris Yarran
Chris Yarran
Christopher "Chris" Yarran is an Australian rules footballer with the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
and Michael Walters
Michael Walters (Australian footballer)
Michael Walters is an Australian rules footballer for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
, who both lived on the seemingly innocuous Bushby St in the suburb of Midvale
Midvale, Western Australia
Midvale is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located mostly within the City of Swan, and partly within the Shire of Mundaring. Its postcode is 6056....
and were later taken in the same AFL draft as Naitanui. During his time in junior and colts football, Nic played predominantly in the ruck, however he also was used on the wing or at full-back.
In the 2007 Under-18 AFL National Championships, Naitanui was dominant in the ruck for Western Australia, and was named Best On Ground in the final. Following his performance, he was hotly pursued by several AFL clubs. However, he was born just a few days too late to qualify for the 2007 AFL draft. He was named in the Under-18 All-Australian Team
All-Australian Team
The All-Australian Team is an all star team of Australian rules footballers, selected by a panel at the end of each season. It represents a complete team, including interchange players and a coach, of the best performed during the season....
in both 2007 and 2008, and was awarded a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport
Australian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
to become a member of the AIS/AFL Academy Squad.
A much-hyped Naitanui was invited to the 2008 AFL Draft Camp and his results were impressive. He managed to equal the running vertical jump record previously set by Jared Brennan
Jared Brennan
Jared Brennan is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League.-Early life:...
, but just fell short of Trent Croad
Trent Croad
Trent Eric Croad is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League .During his 222 game AFL career, he achieved some of the Australian Football League's highest honours including an AFL premiership medallion, All-Australian selection, representing...
's standing jump record. His sprint, agility and endurance tests were also impressive.
Many media commentators believed that Naitanui was in contention to be taken as the number 1 pick in the 2008 AFL Draft
2008 AFL Draft
The 2008 AFL Draft consisted of four opportunities for player acquisitions during the 2008/09 Australian Football League off-season. These were Trade Week , the National Draft , the Pre-Season Draft and the Rookie Draft...
. The Melbourne Football Club
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
, who retained that pick, had looked at Naitanui, but raised concerns about his skill level, in particular his kicking, and instead selected Victorian Jack Watts
Jack Watts (Australian footballer)
Jack Watts is an Australian rules footballer for the Melbourne Football Club, in the Australian Football League . He had a promising junior career and was the number one draft pick in the 2008 AFL Draft.-Early life:...
.
AFL career
Naitanui was taken at pick No. 2 overall in the 2008 AFL Draft2008 AFL Draft
The 2008 AFL Draft consisted of four opportunities for player acquisitions during the 2008/09 Australian Football League off-season. These were Trade Week , the National Draft , the Pre-Season Draft and the Rookie Draft...
by the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
.
As a highly rated future player by John Worsfold
John Worsfold
John Worsfold is a former Australian rules footballer who represented in the West Australian Football League and the West Coast Eagles in the Victorian Football League/Australian Football League . He also represented Western Australia in State of Origin matches...
, Naitanui was given the number 9 guernsey, becoming the first West Coast Eagles player to wear the number since Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
ist and former captain Ben Cousins
Ben Cousins
Benjamin Luke "Ben" Cousins is a former Australian rules footballer, best known for his 270-game career with and in the Australian Football League ....
left the club at the end of the 2007 season. His first game at the senior level was on 13 June 2009 when he was named to play against Richmond in game 12 of the 2009 season.
His career suffered a setback, however, during pre-season training when he experienced knee soreness and had precautionary surgery.
Naitanui impressed enough in the WAFL in a game where he accumulated 15 possessions, 21 hit-outs, 4 goals and a spectacular mark, to earn his selection in the Round 12 against Richmond at Etihad Stadium.
His debut game impressed many, demonstrating his athletic ability with another spectacular mark as well as 3 kicks, 8 handballs, 3 marks and 7 hitouts. In his second game against premiers Hawthorn at Subiaco, Naitanui was quiet for the first three quarters but dazzled in the fourth, kicking three goals and leading his team to a come-from-behind win.
Natanui was honoured with a nomination for the NAB Rising Star in Round 4, 2010 in the West Coast Eagles win over the Essendon Bombers, a match where Natanui dominated with 13 disposals, 5 tackles and 17 hitouts. Naitanui took out the West Coast's Rookie of the Year Award for the 2010 Season and finished fifth in the 2010 Club Champion Award.