AFL Draft 2017 picks, prospects, Draft Watch: Patrick Naish RichmondMay 17, 2017 1:18pm
Ben Waterworth
FOX SPORTSRICHMOND fans, get excited — because your club’s recruiters certainly would be.
Tigers father-son prospect Patrick Naish is working his way up the order of phantom drafts thanks to a stunning start to his draft year, highlighted by his imposing school footy performance last Friday.
In a fairly one-sided game, Naish was a constant threat, booting a whopping seven goals for the game — including five in the first half. It was an especially impressive effort considering he played mostly in the midfield with stints deep forward.
The seven-goal haul was the latest standout individual game for Naish, who has also impressed for the Northern Knights in his three TAC Cup games playing mainly across half-forward. From his three matches to date, he’s rated elite for disposals (18.3 per game), uncontested possessions (12.3), marks (4.7), score involvements (7.0) and goals (2.0).
“His start to the year has been really good in terms of doing what he normally does with ball in hand, but then defensively he’s improved his tackling efforts,” Knights talent manager Rhy Gieschen told foxfooty.com.au.
“He’s also holding himself well in contested situations having really improved after a big off-season in the gym, getting himself bigger and stronger.”
A class act with a beautiful penetrating kick and big bag of tricks, Naish is the son of former Richmond player Chris Naish, who played 143 games with the Tigers (1990-97) before adding another 18 games with Port Adelaide.
The 18-year-old has had an association with the Tigers over the past two years, spending time at Punt Road alongside some of the club’s biggest names at training sessions. It has been an excellent preparation for life at Tigerland should his name be called then matched by Richmond on draft night.
“The first year was pretty eye-opening, training with Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin every day. It was pretty weird at first,” Naish told TAC Cup Radio.
“It’s been my dream to play for Richmond my whole life.”
Naish said his dad, who is now chief executive of the Reach Foundation, had been a wonderful influence, particularly off the field.
“I don’t put pressure on myself that much. I go out there and perform and try to control what I can control. But dad helps me out tremendously with off-field stuff, like how I act off the field and how I can make myself a better person,” Naish said.
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