Here's to you having your first beer soon. 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. Drafted by West Coast in 2008, Naitanui inherited the No.9 jumper made famous by Cousins during his illustrious and ill-fated career with the Eagles. Maybe a Corona for arguments sake. The 32-year-old australian rules footballer was born in Australia. Nic Naitanui (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) . He took up playing football at the age of nine, when he began playing for the Midvale Junior Football Club. Losing the Grand Final probably just brought it all to the forefront, and I think once I walked back into the locker room, it all just hit me. West Coast Eagles AFL footballer Nic Naitanui says better education about the origins of blackface is needed after a Perth mother's Facebook photo of her son drew an onslaught of criticism. In 2020, Nic had his first full season in four years, receiving All-Australian honours as starting ruckman, and winning the John Worsfold medal as West Coast Eagle's best and fairest player. "We got the same birthday presents," he said. A series of knee injuries hampered his career, forcing Nic to miss the West Coast Eagles premiership victory in 2018. Naitanui was drafted by West Coast with the second pick in the2008 National Draft. As Game Day host Hamish McLachlan said, "we'll let you have a think about that one for a moment. The concept of what's considered "normal" in the new Australia is a theme of his book, conceived, in part, to act as bulwark against bullying of kids who are or feel different. Naitanui missed the entire 2017 season. Im scared blokes are going to keep talking smack every week to get a new phone, Naitanui joked. He was named in theAll-Australian teamthe following season, as the first-choice ruckman. In the2011 season, he played 23 games, including his first finals matches, and was also nominated forMark of the Year. Three twins this time last week, Nic Nat captioned the photo, suggesting the cute snap was taken during West Coasts stay on the Gold Coast. "Three twins this time last week," Nic Nat captioned the photo, suggesting the cute snap was taken during West Coast's stay on the Gold Coast. In the 2011 season, he played 23 games, including his first finals matches, and was also nominated for Mark of the Year. Naitanuis mother sent half of every pay cheque back to Fiji, to ensure the family was always well looked after. His sprint, agility and endurance tests were also impressive. After representing Western Australia in the 2007 and 2008 AFL Under 18 Championships, he debuted in 2008 for the Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). The first few weeks everyone knew I was wearing it so guys would sort of avoid you at times. Growing up in Midvale, Naitanui attended Governor Stirling Senior High School, and played football for the Midvale Junior Football Club. Probably one or two a week, when the seasons on, people saying people like me dont belong in the game. I would wear it at lunchtimes sometimes guys, particularly myself, would be worried about what we said. Naitanui took out the West Coasts Rookie of the Year Award for the 2010 Season and finished fifth in the 2010 Club Champion Award. He played ten games in his debut season, and received oneBrownlow Medalvote for a three-goal game againstHawthorn. The book is dedicated to his mum, who passed away in 2015. Speaking on the Talking Footy podcast this week, Naitanui said the levels of grief he was experiencing made it hard for him to return to Australia after his mother's funeral, let along play football. 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. Now I love it. Naitanui was honoured with a nomination for the AFL Rising Star in round 4, 2010 in the West Coast Eagles win over the Essendon Bombers, a match where Naitanui dominated with 13 disposals, 5 tackles and 17 hitouts. 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. Place that could tempt Shark back to Queensland. He is a member of famous with the age 32 years old group. 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. Nic Naitanui was born in Sydney to Fijian parents before moving to Perth. Position (s): R Age: 32. If there was a question about West Coast's hunger this year, Naitanui says he's pushing teammates hard to maintain the rage. nic naitanui twin brother photo nic naitanui twin brother photo. 9347 4666.Mon-Thurs 12pm-11pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-12am; Sun 12pm-6pm, 'It follows you home': Nic Naitanui on bigotry's new frontier. He loves watching a raw style of football. Yelling out things like CAPPER! I was like what is happening here. Nic Naitanui and Brittany Bown welcome newborn, Perfect: Baby Naitanui arrives as couple share rare name, Nic Nats sweet tribute to late mum with new bub. Nic Naitanui, best known for being a Australian Rules Footballer, was born in Australia on Friday, May 4, 1990. To me, that's beneficial at times, because it is calling them out I've done it a few times. West Coast Eagles best and fairest winners, How Buddy inspired Blues sharpshooter Garlett, No.1 draft choice Kreuzer picked in Nic of time, "West Coast Eagles down Gold Coast Suns by three points in AFL", "Will Nic Nat return? Congratulations, she wrote. Along with his twin brother, Mark, Naitanui was born to Bola and Atetha Naitanui on 4 May 1990 in Penrith, New South Wales. It slowly will change. West Coast star Nic Naitanui has taken aim at The West Australian over an "unnecessary" front page regarding AFL player Chris Yarran, who was sentenced to prison on Thursday. After nearly a year out of the game, Naitanui returned to AFL football in round 15 against Hawthorn, after playing just one game with limited match time for the WAFL Eagles team. At the time I always used to get angry at my mum and say, 'Why dont I get the new Nike boots or why dont I have a pair of Skins to wear under my shorts?' 2023 Getty Images. I think the way 'Simmo' (Adam Simpson) summed it up with pulling people up hes made the football environment one where youre not casually saying something. Its not the first time the Eagles game-breaker has generated plenty of smiles in recent days. Join the conversation, you are commenting as. He proceeded to kick a goal after the siren to win the game by 2 points, becoming the 35th AFL player to do so. Trivia He earned his first All-Australian team honor in 2012. 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. In the 2011 season, he played 23 games, including his first finals matches, and was also nominated for Mark of the Year. And that's just the reality much as you try, some guys just can't be changed.". I remember I won a grant from the AFL life members, when I was 17, and that was like a $3000 grant, thats meant to go to your footy, and that went straight to the village, Naitanui laughed. He felt the Goodes episode had educated the public (about race), "but to the cost of Adam. Whether it was to make her not have to work three jobs anymore and get her a house, or help support her or make her proud. West Coast won by three points. I swear my house was the youth shelter, there was always 10 or 12 kids, Naitanui laughed. His father died from cancer the year after Naitanui and his brother were born. But as soon as someone whacks you in the side of the head, or youre losing and want to get going again, you dont care about a mic or a camera on you, you just be yourself and I think thats going to be the most riveting part of it. Words from Mark Naitanui When Nic and I were five years old, we moved over to Perth from Sydney. Having started the season as the favourite for the AFL Rising Star, Naitanui finished 5th overall. Naitanui was taken at pick No. He said there were no hard feelings. West Coast won by three points. 2 overall in the 2008 AFL Draft by the West Coast Eagles. He proceeded to kick a goal after the siren to win the game by 2 points, becoming the 35th AFL player to do so. "It was tough blending in and feeling accepted.". To be honest, the wave of emotion hit me pretty hard, I obviously had a tough year, Id lost my cousin at the start of the year and had to go bury him, then I lost my mum on the eve of the finals, Naitanui recalled. They had no traction or anything and they were sliding everywhere, like a freshly born baby giraffe., 4. My family forever Brittany Bown/Ezekiel Duke, he wrote. "I guess for me at school, I knew that I was the only kind of dark, tall, skinny kid at school with curly hair myself and my twin brother," he says. "For me, the racial comments that I copped a bit (in the) early days. "With my colour I thought I'd probably get away with it," he told Channel 7's Game Day on Sunday. Nic attended Midvale Primary school. During the 2018 season, Naitanui was suspended for a week following a tackle on Port Adelaide's Karl Amon. I didnt sleep much before the game. "I swear my house was the youth shelter, there was always 10 or 12 kids," Naitanui laughed. His father died from cancer the year after Naitanui and his brother were born. There was a couple of Indigenous boys playing footy out the front of my house, and I was thinking whats this funny-shaped thing that theyre bouncing and why are they kicking it, Naitanui laughed. He ruptured his ACL in the following game, and missed the rest of the 2016 season. With a prodigious jump and athleticism, he soon made his mark as a young ruckman with incredible potential. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. As a child, he lived on Bushby Street in Midvale, along with Shane Yarran, Michael Walters and Chris Yarran, who would all go on to play AFL football. Wiki: Biography & Celebrity Profiles as wikipedia, Taylor Comeau Wiki, Biography, Age, Net Worth, Family, Instagram, Twitter, Social Profiles & More Facts. Many media commentators believed that Naitanui was in contention to be taken as the number 1 pick in the2008 AFL Draft. After his fathers death, his mother moved the family to Perth, Western Australia, where her brother lived. However, he was born a few days too late to qualify for the 2007 AFL draft. 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. 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. Personal touch and engage with his followers. Naitanui was in contention to play his first game for the season in the first semi-final againstGreater Western Sydney, but did not play. All of them not merely pastimes but preoccupations. I think sport helped me along the way, because I was good at sport, it helped me fit in. However, he was born a few days too late to qualify for the2007 AFL draft. He works in remote Aboriginal communities witnessing the 'raw talent' that very few get to witness. He has a pure loving kind heart personality. "I get a heap. The photographer coerces me into ordering a dessert "Opera gateau" with praline and ice cream that Nic Nat wisely eschews. On the Friday Night game against North Melbourne in round 8, 2013, Naitanui took a memorable pack mark 30m out with seconds left on the clock. As a child, he lived on Bushby Street in Midvale, along with Shane Yarran, Michael Walters and Chris Yarran, who would all go on to play AFL football. His mother began working at Homeswest, a public housing authority, and also volunteered at a homeless shelter. Constance's attention was first drawn to the costume when the mother posted the photo of her son in black face to the blogger's Facebook page. You can scroll down for information about his Social media profiles. He was born in Sydney to Fijian parents, and his family moved to Perth, Western Australia after his father's death. 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. "He'd get the red one and I'd get the blue. Nic is an ideal celebrity influencer. Two other AFL players,David EllardandJeff Garlett, also played with Naitanui, Walters, Chris Yarran and Shane Yarran at the Midvale Junior Football Club. Nicholas Mark Naitanui (/ n t n u i / ; born 4 May 1990) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL). Taurus is his Zodiac sign. All the boys were wearing them. Nicholas Mark Naitanui (/ n t n u i / ; born 4 May 1990) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL). Weve got Liam Ryan at our footy club, and to be honest, when we had him and Willie Rioli, you just think, what they are going to do. Nic Naitanui will line up for his 200th game against Adelaide on Sunday afternoon. I copped it all the time. Having an environment where you dont have to pull people up all the time makes it a safe and comfortable environment., 9. As per his physique; Nic Naitanui weighs 110 kg & his height scales 201 cm. Naitanui was withdrawn from the side on Friday night, but the nature of those personal reasons not initially made public by the club. "I used to have massive fears of going to an Aussie pub, like in a country town," he says. 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. It makes the footy exciting, I love it, its good. Looking for Nic Naitanui online? ", To join the conversation, please log in. You know, it kind of follows you home. An AFL Rising Star nominee in 2010 with the West Coast Eagles. His parents, originally from Suvavou, a small village nearSuva, had emigrated to Australia fromFijithe previous year, with his two elder siblings, Georgie and Laisani, remaining in Fiji. Get to know more about new Eagle from Echuca Noah Long, who was our fifth pick in the 2022 draft. Access the best of Getty Images and iStock with our simple subscription plan. 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. Were working to restore it. "Just something in relation to your skin tone, or 'what are you doing out here, you should be playing basketball not this game'. ", Naitanui cops abuse even as a venerated AFL star.Credit:Simon Schluter, Naitanui's take is that on-field abuse is "no longer accepted at that level or any level" of the game. Born on 4 May 1990, the Athlete Nic Naitanui is arguably the worlds most influential social media star. It might not be money, it might be a thank you and a smile, and thats always been enough for me. I do have an aircon, I do have a fan, but theres just something about the floor that I enjoy, I think its a Fijian thing, a lot of families I know sleep on the floor., 7. Famously known by the Family name Nicholas Mark Naitanui, is a great Athlete. For diversity's sake, I opt for the less healthy Lincolnshire sausages and mash, plus the broccolini. If not for Cousins' sacking at the . "We still talk to each other every week and I catch up with the guys when we are in Melbourne," he said. Naitanui impressed enough in the WAFL in a game where he accumulated 15 possessions, 21 hit-outs, 4 goals and aspectacular mark, to earn his selection in the round 12 against Richmond at Etihad Stadium. Feeling accepted. `` Sun 12pm-6pm, 'It follows you home ': nic will! Who passed away in 2015 birthday presents, '' he says 200th game against Adelaide on Sunday.... 2018 season, Naitanui finished 5th overall can scroll down for information his. The cost of Adam year after Naitanui and his brother were born a,. Soon made his Mark as a young ruckman with incredible potential father died from cancer the Award! Play his first game for the season in the following game, and also volunteered at a homeless shelter sprint. 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