He's a superb athlete. One with every chance of cutting it at the highest level.
But according to those who know best, Naitanui isn't an instant star – he's a player who will flourish in time.
Such has been the anticipation about Naitanui that even before last year's NAB AFL Draft, he was anointed by many pundits as the cream of the 2008 pool.
So is the hype premature? Yes and no.
Naitanui is already playing senior football with Swan Districts in the WAFL and is representing Western Australia in the NAB AFL Under 18 championships. Clearly, he has a bagful of talent. But in football terms, he's still a colt.
AIS/AFL Academy high performance coach Alan McConnell, who plays a key role developing elite underage footballers, said fans needed to be realistic – and fair – about Naitanui's progress.
"Nick Naitanui is a really exciting prospect – there is no question about that," McConnell said.
"But he is also a project player. At this stage of his development, Nick rarely gets more than 13 or 14 touches a game.
"He hasn't got big experience in our game and there are lots of other boys on the horizon at this stage that the recruiters will be equally keen to get their hands on.
"He's not a high-possession player from a marking perspective and that's what you want your big blokes to do, but he does have great closing speed, which means he actually gets his hands on the ball a bit around the ground and particularly in contested situations.
"What he doesn't fully understand yet is running to space and playing that linking role that many of the bigger ruckmen of his athleticism have."
It's a view shared by one of the most experienced recruiters in the AFL, who spoke exclusively to afl.com.au but preferred not to be named.
"With respect to Nick, the media have placed unrealistic expectations upon [him] and are calling him No.1 far too early," the recruiter said.
"Nick is really an athlete and is not schooled in football. There is no doubting his athletic qualities and he has demonstrated that when he rucks … but his palming and putting the ball to his team's advantage is still developing.
"At this stage I think it's unfair on Nick that he's been pushed up so strongly when his football experience is limited."
Several other recruiters believe more experienced footballers, like Western Australian duo Daniel Rich and Chris Yarran, South Australian Hamish Hartlett and Victoria's Jack Watts are equally deserving of top-pick scope.
McConnell also added Victorian duo Jackson Trengove, who has "outstanding leadership qualities" and Ayce Cordy as the other standouts, despite the duo being sidelined with injury for the rest of the season.
Cordy, the son of Brian, is almost certain to be claimed by the Western Bulldogs as a father/son selection and will therefore not be claimed with the first pick in the draft.
So how does the AFL recruiter believe Naitanui will handle the attention in the lead-up to the draft and beyond?
"In one sense, he'll cope with the media that will come at him, but I have a real concern that the expectations are far too high for an athletic boy, who has only played for four years. He's a basketballer," he said.
"People should make their judgment after the under 18 championships and, unfortunately, what could happen is that some recruiting people may change their views."
With a term that Naitanui took literally with his previous sport, the ball's in his court.
No.1 with a bullet: possible top draft picks
Nick Naitanui
WA, 04/05/1990, 197cm, 95kgs
Daniel Rich
WA, 07/06/1990, 183cm, 83kgs
Chris Yarran
WA, 19/12/1990, 180cm, 84kgs
Hamish Hartlett
SA, 14/08/1990, 182cm, 74kgs
Jack Watts
Vic, 26/03/1991, 194cm, 85kgs
Jackson Trengove
Vic Metro, 02/11/1990, 196cm, 77kgs
Ayce Cordy
Vic Country, 202cm, 87kgs
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
