His debut game impressed many, demonstrating his athletic ability with another spectacular mark as well as 3 kicks, 8 handballs, 3 marks and 7 hitouts. Injured Sydney star Lance Franklin was among those to react to the 30-year-olds latest social media share, replying with a heart emoji. His father died from cancer the year after Naitanui and his brother . Nic Naitanui was born in Sydney to Fijian parents before moving to Perth. Then the focus shifted to racism from over-the-fence and, finally, there's the unrestrained jungle of social media, where Naitanui is to this day a target of racial abuse. Twin brother Mark wrote an exclusive piece for aflplayers.com.au to pay tribute to the inspiring ruckman and provide a rare insight into the man behind the dreadlocks. Probably one or two a week, when the seasons on, people saying people like me dont belong in the game. They think it takes away all your soreness but I dont think it does, I think it freezes you so you cant work out what is sore, and whats even working anymore, Naitanui laughed. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. And that's just the reality much as you try, some guys just can't be changed.". I think it's covered a range of different themes it's not just about, you know, race," he explains. According to our Database, He has no children. is 201cm and Weight 101kg. Access the best of Getty Images and iStock with our simple subscription plan. He is expected to miss 1012 months of football after a reconstruction. Naitanui travels to the Northern Territory every year to see football stripped back to basics. His first game at the senior level was on 13 June 2009 when he was named to play against Richmond in game 12 of the 2009 season. Growing up in Midvale, Naitanui attended Governor Stirling Senior High School, and played football for the Midvale Junior Football Club. If opposing racial prejudice is the accepted, mainstream position in multi-ethnic Australia, Naitanui has taken the further step of featuring same-sex couples both two mums and two dads as part of the schoolyard norm in his book. During his time in junior and colts football, he played predominantly in the ruck, however he also was used on the wing or at full-back. Naitanui also excelled at basketball and track and field events, particularly high jump, and was asked by recruiters to trial with American universities, but declined to do so. It comes to a point where you don't want to post it or put it on (social media). Growing up inMidvale, Naitanui attendedGovernor Stirling Senior High School, and played football for the Midvale Junior Football Club. If Im at a hotel, Ill put a blanket down first because you just dont know whos been doing what on those carpets, Naitanui laughed. I didnt really think about how hard it was to be a single mother looking after growing boys and giving money back home and working three jobs.". In the 2007 Under-18 AFL National Championships, Naitanui was dominant in the ruck for Western Australia, and was named Best on Ground in the final. Quite possibly the most astounding fact on the list is that Nic Naitanui climbs into a chamber at -120 degrees Celsius. Following his performance, he was hotly pursued by several AFL clubs. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. The red dirt, bare foot, the fun side of footy, where theyre taking screamers, theyre kicking snaps around their body and doing things that most children their age shouldnt be able to do. Weve got respect for each other. Nic Naitanui at The Lincoln in Carlton.Credit:Simon Schluter, "There were a few Indigenous kids, but I was the darkest by 20 shades," Naitanui says of his school days in battling Midvale, as a rare Fijian-Australian. He is a member of famous with the age 32 years old group. The first few weeks everyone knew I was wearing it so guys would sort of avoid you at times. We chat to Rhett Bazzo about his first year as an Eagle and the preseason so far, Dom Sheed reflects on his injury-riddled 2022 season and his journey back to the track, See all the best shots from Monday's training session. He's in Melbourne to promote his illustrated children's book, Little Nic's Big Day, a fictionalised account of Naitanui's first day at primary school, when his anxieties as a kid who looks different to the others are allayed within a diverse playground. Playing footy early days was one of the hardest things for me, because Id get called every name under the sun, even in the AFL my first couple of years I was getting racially vilified," Naitanui said. There's a kid playing with a prosthetic leg who's running around in the book, there's a kid that speaks sign language and he's eating different foods. As a highly rated future player by John Worsfold, Naitanui was given the number 9 guernsey, becoming the first West Coast Eagles player to wear the number since Brownlow Medalist and former captain Ben Cousins left the club at the end of the 2007 season. Family: He has two older siblings, Georgie and Laisani. The West Coast Eagles vice-captain and four-time All-Australian has been getting through plenty of hard work this summer. He was born in Sydney to Fijian parents, and his family moved to Perth, Western Australia after his father's death. With his large number of social media fans, he often posts many personal photos and videos to interact with his huge fan base on social media platforms. He earned his first All-Australian team honor in 2012. He was named in the All-Australian team the following season, as the first-choice ruckman. Recent Career. You can read todays latest tweets and post from Nic Naitanuis official Twitter account below, where you can know what he is saying in his previous tweet. His sprint, agility and endurance tests were also impressive. However, he was born a few days too late to qualify for the 2007 AFL draft. Naitanui was honoured with a nomination for theAFL Rising Starinround 4, 2010in the West Coast Eagles win over theEssendon Bombers, a match where Naitanui dominated with 13 disposals, 5 tackles and 17 hitouts. Nic's first book for children Little Nic's Big Day was published in 2019. For me its not a big thing, even though sometimes monetary-wise, youre not in a situation to do so, itll always find a way to get back to you, I always believe that. I just find the floor, theres more space, and you can lay wherever you want," Naitanui said. If there was a question about West Coast's hunger this year, Naitanui says he's pushing teammates hard to maintain the rage. His parents, originally from Suvavou, a small village near Suva . Thats why I think Simmos such a good coach, he nurtures it, he allows you to be who you are and play instinctively. He proceeded to kick agoal after the sirento win the game by 2 points, becoming the 35th AFL player to do so. The Lincoln's gateau dessert.Simon Schluter Trivia He earned his first All-Australian team honor in 2012. He took up playing football at the age of nine, when he began playing for the Midvale Junior Football Club. West Coast Eagles star Nic Naitanui weighed in on yearly Australia Day debate The star ruckman - who is of Fijian heritage - said the national day should unite He said if changing the date. And mum always felt sorry for families and shed always go without wed always go without because Christmas time youd always be sharing it with other families. Taurus is his Zodiac sign. A collection of 20 great marks taken by West Coast star Nic Naitanui. On Saturday Nic Naitanui was an all-round good guy, handing Crows ruckman Reilly OBrien a new phone after a week of hilarious byplay. On 17 September 2012 Naitanui earned his first All Australian Team nomination being named as the starting Ruckman. West Coast Eagles key defender Jeremy McGovern talks to the media about pre season training. ", He might have played another sport, having high-jumped more than two metres as a teen; he received offers to pursue the sport in America. I wore a mic for every game and for every training session, and I think if they put it altogether they could make a years worth of documentary, Naitanui laughed. Famously known by the Family name Nicholas Mark Naitanui, is a great Athlete. However, he was born a few days too late to qualify for the 2007 AFL draft. These boys turned out to be Michael Walters and Chris Yarran, who would later go on to play at Fremantle and Carlton respectively. "It was tough blending in and feeling accepted.". He managed to equal the running vertical jump record previously set by Jared Brennan, but fell short of Trent Croad's standing jump record. His mother began working at Homeswest, apublic housingauthority, and also volunteered at ahomeless shelter. In round 17 of the 2018 season, after 15 games back from an injury to his leftanterior cruciate ligament, Naitanui landed awkwardly in a contest just before half time of the match against theCollingwood Magpies, suffering the same injury to his right anterior cruciate ligament. He lived next door to Michael Walters and Chris Yarran. For Nic Naitanui, and his prime years Nic Naitanui was 26 years, 108 days old when he first injured his knee in 2016. Iggys WHOPPING pay day from OnlyFans revealed, Top cop gives his take on Perths eshay crime gangs, Time to hang up your hat, mate: Samuel SLAMS Molly, Very happy: Rupert Murdoch spotted with new companion, West Australian Newspapers Limited 2023. "He'd get the red one and I'd get the blue. Nic Naitanui was born in Sydney to Fijian parents before moving to Perth. Nic Naitanui is 27 years of age. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. In hissecond season, Naitanui played every game, primarily as a back-upruckmantoDean Cox, taking over the position ofMark Seaby, who was traded the previous season. My family forever Brittany Bown/Ezekiel Duke, he wrote. As a highly rated future player byJohn Worsfold, Naitanui was given the number 9 guernsey, becoming the first West Coast Eagles player to wear the number sinceBrownlow Medalistand former captainBen Cousinsleft the club at the end of the 2007 season. I'm like, it's the norm. We thought, lets keep educating. It makes the footy exciting, I love it, its good. Nic Naitanui moved from Fiji to Western Australia when he was around five years old. First, in his youth, it was on the field. Ezekiel, who arrived about a week past his due date, weighed in at four kilograms (8.8 pounds) and was 54.5cm long. By . He said there were no hard feelings. Naitanui said Yarran was "by far the best" of the trio, in terms of talent. Basketball, athletics, rugby - the football code most popular in his parents' homeland - and, later, Aussie rules. It wasnt until one of my uncles sat me down in our family home over there and said dont waste your time here. He played ten games in his debut season, and received oneBrownlow Medalvote for a three-goal game againstHawthorn. "So the kids are a lot more comfortable.". On 17 September 2012 Naitanui earned his first All Australian Team nomination being named as the starting Ruckman. His first game at the senior level was on 13 June 2009 when he was named to play against Richmond in game 12 of the 2009 season. Its not the first time the Eagles game-breaker has generated plenty of smiles in recent days. Star ruckman Nic Naitanui joined Mark Howard in a revealing chat on The Howie Games podcast. His parents, originally from Suvavou, a small village near Suva, had emigrated to Australia from Fiji the previous year, with his two elder siblings, Georgie and Laisani, remaining in Fiji. HIGH-flying Eagle Nic Naitanui didn't want to wear just a long-sleeved jumper down in Hobart on Saturday, but his full skins. As I said hes one of the nice guys., West Australian Newspapers Limited 2023. There is no question Nic Naitanui is the most famous & most loved celebrity of all the time. An AFL Rising Star nominee in 2010 with the West Coast Eagles. TheMelbourne Football Club, who retained that pick, had looked at Naitanui, but raised concerns about his skill level, in particular his kicking, and instead selected VictorianJack Watts. Nic Naitanui, best known for being a Australian Rules Footballer, was born in Australia on Friday, May 4, 1990. is a beautiful and populous city located in Penrith Australia. "It breaks down some of those stigmas, some of those barriers.". Pub staff pronounce the dessert as "the Gatto", as if it bears the name of a Lygon Street identity. Naitanui grew up in Midvale, near Midland, and attended Midvale Primary School. Two further AFL players, David Ellard and Jeff Garlett, also played with Naitanui, Walters, Chris Yarran and Shane Yarran at the Midvale Junior Football Club. Nic Naitanui father's name is under review and mother unknown at this time. "To have this book, it probably just justifies that a bit more that it's OK to be different," said Naitanui, a multicultural ambassadorfor the AFL. He sends half of his money home to Fiji. He's 200-plus centimetres with an athlete's broad shoulders, which are draped by his trademark black and brown dreads. A fraternal twin to Mark, now Naitanui's only blood relative in Australia (he has two elder siblings in Fiji), sporting opportunities abounded for young Nic. In his second season, Naitanui played every game, primarily as a back-up ruckman to Dean Cox, taking over the position of Mark Seaby, who was traded the previous season. He was born on 4 May 1990, in Penrith.
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