AFL COACHES believe West Coast's Nic Naitanui will eventually become the best player in the competition.

In an exclusive AFLCA/afl.com.au survey, all 16 coaches were asked 'Which player with fewer than 50 games' experience do you think can eventually assume the mantle of the best player in the game?' with the athletic Eagle easily receiving the most votes.

Naitanui, 19, got the nod from five coaches ahead of Essendon's Michael Hurley and Hawthorn youngster Cyril Rioli, who each polled two votes.

Brisbane Lions gun midfielder Daniel Rich received just one vote despite taking out the NAB AFL Rising Star award last year after a stellar debut season.

Adelaide duo Kurt Tippett and Patrick Dangerfield also received one vote as did classy Tiger Trent Cotchin, Eagles key forward Josh Kennedy and Port Adelaide young gun Travis Boak.

The coach who voted for Boak was clearly taken with the Power's budding midfield star, likening him to Geelong dual premiership player and Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett.

The league's most recent No.1 draft pick, Melbourne's Tom Scully, rounds out the elite group and is the only first-year player to appear.

The survey, commissioned exclusively for afl.com.au and prepared under the auspices of the AFL Coaches Association, was conducted anonymously and coaches were able to vote for their own players.

Naitanui's rare natural athleticism has lit up the AFL landscape since West Coast pounced on the 201cm ruckman with the second overall pick at the 2008 NAB AFL Draft after the Dees opted for key forward prospect Jack Watts.

Words used to describe Naitanui by the coaches in explaining their choices included "freakish athleticism", "agility for a big man is amazing", "rare attributes" and "will dominate his position".

Naitanui played 10 matches in his debut season and has not missed a game this year, but is yet to garner a rising star nomination.

He played arguably the best game of his fledgling career two weeks ago when he gathered 21 possessions and had 21 hit-outs in the Eagles' round-two loss to Port.

Fans will get another chance to pass judgment on Naitanui and Hurley when West Coast and the Bombers square off on Friday night at Subiaco Oval.