Nic Naitanui a GWS target

[one-eyed]

CULT figure Nic Naitanui looms as a target of cashed-up Greater Western Sydney, with the West Coast Eagles facing a fight to accommodate the promising ruckman.

Naitanui, 20, is out of contract at the end of next season, having signed a three-year deal when taken with the No. 2 pick in the 2008 national draft.

Team GWS can today begin poaching players whose contracts expire at the end of next year, in order for them to join the new club in time for its debut season in 2012.

Born in western Sydney and of Fijian heritage, the exciting Naitanui would be a marketing dream for the league's 18th franchise, which is desperate to make an early impression in the rugby-league heartland.

The Eagles pay 100 per cent of the salary cap but face a major squeeze to retain premier talent.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/naitanui-a-likely-target-as-gws-free-to-poach-players-20101031-178xk.html

[wayne]

Gold Coast target the best player in the league, G. Ablett, and get him.

Sheeds and GWS target a guy that shows the odd flash of brilliance but mostly looks like a fish out of water??

[tiger101]

Nic Naitanui wouldnt be to bad of a pick up for them if they dont have to pay to much over the odds just cause of his name. Also depends on how there ruck stocks are and how they look in next years draft.

[mightytiges]

In terms of $$$ GWS will have to pay over the odds as they would for any player they poach but, just like the Suns, GWS will be allowed to create draft picks out of thin air so NicNat wouldn't cost them anything as far as draft picks.

GWS have missed out Martin (on ya Dusty ) and Swallow but may score Swan and NicNat. Not a bad start for them if true. If I was the Swans I'd be nervous given the Gold Coast targetted their local rival Brisbane for players. Keiren Jack, Craig Bolton, LRT and McVeigh are local Sydneysiders. Jack and McVeigh are originally from Pennant Hills.