West Coast Eagles star Nic Naitanui is back in the mix for best ruckman in the game honours
NOT for the first time, Nic Naitanui is being pushed out of the discussion about the best ruckman in the game, writes Mark Robinson.
West Coast
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NOT for the first time, Nic Naitanui is being pushed out of the discussion about the best ruckman in the game.
He would be used to it, not that he should care.
From the start of his career, he was accused of being a highlight reel rather than a genuine ruckman and the fact he wasn’t a prodigious mark of the ball added argument for the prosecution.
Unquestionably, any argument now that Naitanui is not among the best fails dismally.
In fact, the argument for him to considered THE best ruckman stacks up.
All-Australian midyear debate has North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein and Melbourne’s Max Gawn as the leading contenders, while Sydney’s Kurt Tippett has supporters who want a ruck-cum-forward as a possible bench spot in any potential AA team.
It’s ridiculous Naitanui doesn’t garner greater support.
Only Gerard Healy of the Victorian-based commentators acknowledges Naitanui’s standing in the game.
It’s safe to say Healy loves Nic Nat.
And as much as the West Coast big man has had deal with critics, Healy, too, has had to endure his share of condemnation for his opinion.
“Everyone knows I’ve been a massive Naitanui fan and I think he’s been underrated for a long time because people have misunderstood him,’’ Healy told the Herald Sun.
“Ruckmen don’t take very many contested marks now, it’s not like the Gary Dempsey days, it’s what impact they have around the contest.
“But as much as I’ve been a major fan of Naitanui, what Nic now needs to do is have couple of really big games in Melbourne, preferably the MCG, that’s missing from his portfolio.
“Like his teammates, it’s what missing from their overall portfolio.’’
The veteran commentator is well aware of Naitanui’s substance as a ruckmen, but within Healy is a genuine excitement about the overall package.
“What I like about him is he’s just fantastic to watch,’’ he said.
“While he doesn’t read the play as well as others and misses out on uncontested footy because of it, he’s the best contested ball-winning ruckman I’ve ever seen.
“I just hope he gets two or three years of clean run of injuries so he can build his tank to the level required because at the moment that is still a work in progress.’’
There’s no doubting the raw appeal of Naitanui.
He has a colossal leap and a terrific feel for his midfielders whether they are still waiting for the tap out, scampering behind, cutting across in front, or on the move forward from behind his centre-circle jump.
That he is more likely than not to have his palming hand above the opposition’s hand gives Naitanui a greater ability to hit out to advantage.
Champion Data statistics show Naitanui (20.4 per cent) is well ahead of Goldstein (14.7) and shaves Gawn (19.2).
He also leads the other two in hit out wins, contested possessions, clearances and score assists.
His ability at ground level further separates himself from Goldstein and Gawn, and probably only Brisbane’s Stef Martin, who has struggled since his concussion hit from Steven May, can rival Naitanui on the deck.
As Healy put on notice, Naitanui — and the Eagles — face challenges in Melbourne.
On Sunday, it’s the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
Naitanui’s opponents will be a combination of Tom Campbell and Jordan Roughead and the logical pre-game assessment is Naitanui should be dominate.
“While he doesn’t read the play as well as others and misses out on uncontested footy because of it, he’s the best contested ball-winning ruckman I’ve ever seen."
Gerard Healy 
But think again. The Bulldogs know how to dismantle opposition ruckmen.
Goldstein and Gawn — in Rounds 6 and 8 against the Bulldogs — struggled to dominate. In fact, they both scored just 49 ranking points in the two games.
The Bulldogs give up to opposition ruckmen the least average ranking points (average 60.5), the least disposals (13.5) and an average of just two clearances a game, which has them clearly ranked No. 1 in the competition in all three categories.
They are phenomenal numbers achieved on the back of their hard-nosed midfielders and, encouragingly, the willingness of Campbell and Roughead to compete at ground level.
So, Sunday, what we have is a dominant ruckman against two ruckmen who nullify dominant ruckmen.
The All Australian debate will continue until season’s end, but it’s games like this one which helps separate the absolute best.
Goldstein and Gawn didn’t get it done and if Naitanui struggles the same, the Eagles will have bigger battle than they already anticipated.
If Naitanui dominates then he has achieved what the other two couldn’t.
Of course, the other question is: What exactly are the Bulldogs doing to shut down opposition ruckmen?
Originally published as West Coast Eagles star Nic Naitanui is back in the mix for best ruckman in the game honours
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