IT WAS only a matter of time before West Coast sensation Nic Naitanui was nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star.

Naitanui starred against Essendon in last Friday’s win and has been one of West Coast’s most impressive players so far in 2010, earning a nomination in the fourth week of the season.

The ruckman came through the Western Australian junior program with 2009 Rising Star Daniel Rich and round one nominee Chris Yarran.

While happy with his own nomination, he is just as chuffed to see mates get recognised.

“Richy had a good year last year so he deserved it. He was playing good footy last year so I don’t think he felt too much pressure. The same goes for Chrissy - he got the nomination but he continues to play good footy which is all that matters at this stage,” he said.

Naitanui grew up next door to Yarran in suburban Perth and although they now live on opposite sides of the country, they remain close.

“Every couple of weeks we talk to each other. If I’m in Melbourne then Chris and I will catch up before a game. We see each other all the time.”

Drafted at No.2 by West Coast in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, Naitanui played 10 games last year and quickly became a favourite of West Coast fans.

His attention-grabbing style had some fans and commentators suggesting Melbourne erred in using its No.1 pick on Jack Watts.

The young Eagle said the comparisons have unfair and said Watts would eventually prove to be a top player for the Demons.

“It is pretty harsh. I think it is the same with any draft. You shouldn’t compare the top few picks. You could say the same about Hilly and Richy last year by comparing them to me. You could say the Eagles should have picked those two over me,” he said.

“I think Jack will be one of the key players in the competition for years to come. He was playing school footy last year and I think people have judged him too early. He has a good career early.”

Naitanui has developed a friendship with Watts through their mutual manager Paul Connors and he says the Demon forward seems to cope well with any perceived criticism.

“I spoke to Jack last week. We have the same manager and keep in touch pretty often. It’s sad that he has that pressure on him,” he said.

“He doesn’t get fazed though, that is the good thing about him. He doesn’t pay attention to it and he just plays his footy and enjoys it.”

A poll of the 16 AFL captains at the start of the season revealed the 19-year-old to be favourite to win the NAB AFL Rising Star at the end of the season.

Naitanui was also a favourite with the punters too, starting the season as $7 favourite.

His vertical leap and athleticism around the ground have had many experts labelling him one of the game’s most exciting players but he is not getting carried away with himself.

“I don’t really pay attention to it. I’m there to win games, that’s the main thing. If something like that happens, it happens. I’m not too fazed about those kind of individual awards at the moment.”