Toby Nankervis [merged]

[one-eyed]

Nankervis relishing his new environment

Australian Community Media - Fairfax Media
Feb 7, 2017

“I just want to be able to play more senior footy and realise more what it is about."

As tough as it was to depart Sydney, Toby Nankervis says the move to Richmond has been the best thing for him and his football development.

The 22-year-old ruckman from George Town, who was traded to the Tigers for pick 46 during last year’s trade period, admitted the simple desire to play more senior football was the motivation for his relocation.

Nankervis managed just 12 games in three years for the Swans, and fell behind Sam Naismith in the pecking order, while at Punt Road a spot as support for Shaun Hampson is up for grabs.

”I love Sydney, it was a great place to live as well as play football, but for me, it was about playing as much senior footy as I can,’’ he told Fairfax Media.

“At Sydney when you look at who they have in the ruck and up forward, it was pretty hard for me to break in, but when the opportunity to come to Richmond came up, it was very exciting.”

Nankervis’ last game in the red and white was arguably his best, collecting a career-high 15 disposals and winning 16 hit-outs in the semi-final win over Adelaide.

But he made way for the returning Kurt Tippett for the preliminary final win over Geelong, and was listed as an emergency on grand final day.

The former North Launceston player believed getting a taste of finals football was the best practical lesson so far in his football education.

The 35th pick in the 2013 national draft knows he still has a lot of improvement left in him.

“Every game I played last year I thought I improved, and that gave me the confidence that I could play at the level, and being able to play a semi-final was a terrific opportunity.

“I just want to be able to play more senior footy and realise more what it is about.

“Playing against better opposition will make me better as well, but the improvement will come from me. I’m 22 and I’ve got that confidence that my best footy still in front of me, but I just want to work as hard as I can on the track to get fit and strong and give myself the best opportunity to play AFL footy.

“When I got to Sydney I was told that not being overly tall for an AFL ruckman, I need to be able to go forward and kick goals and If I can do that, it will be massive for the side.”

The quietly-spoken Nankervis believes he has made a good start so far on the training track saying he feels as fit and as strong as ever.

He also likes what he sees at the Tigers as they look to return to the finals.

He described Damien Hardwick as someone who coaches the way he played, hard and tough, and the idea of playing in front of the passionate Tiger Army is something that genuinely excites him.

“I just think he (Hardwick) likes the way I go about my footy physically, as I can be aggressive,’’ Nankervis said.

http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/4444301/nankervis-relishing-his-new-environment/

[Tiger Tragic]

The bloke can catch the ball. He's already ahead of Hampson for that fact alone.

[🏅Dooks]

The bloke can catch the ball. He's already ahead of Hampson for that fact alone.

He's already ahead of Hampson for the additional fact that he doesnt force feed the opposition midfield all day long with quality ball.

That and when he attempts to handball he actually doesnt miss the ball with his fist.

[Francois Jackson]

"He described Damien Hardwick as someone who coaches the way he played, hard and tough"

[tony_montana]

"He described Damien Hardwick as someone who coaches the way he played, hard and tough"

He's new, has to toe the company line early on 

[YellowandBlackBlood]

I was expecting him to say that Dimma told him confidentially that this is the best side he has seen since being at the club!

[Ruanaidh]

Healthy sarcasm level in this thread.....well done

[(•))(©™]

You'd be once again concerned if this guy hadnt already surpassed the great man.

[one-eyed]

Tough Toby’s instant Tiger impact

Tony Greenberg,
richmondfc.com.au 
February 15, 2017

Former Sydney ruckman Toby Nankervis has been a standout during the pre-season for his new league club Richmond.

The Tigers secured the services of the 199cm, 106kg, 22-year-old in last year’s AFL trade period, and they’ve been delighted with what he’s shown so far.

Nankervis, who played 12 senior games in three years for the Swans, is clearly determined to make the most of the greater opportunities that will be presented to him at Tigerland.

“Toby Nankervis has been a fantastic find for the Richmond Football Club,” Tigers assistant coach Blake Caracella told ‘Roar Vision’.

“His ability and willingness to compete for the ball, hit bodies and follow up and chase, is very impressive.

“And he really loves the contest . . .

“He’s going to be a fantastic addition.”

Fellow Richmond assistant coach McQualter agreed wholeheartedly with Caracella’s comments about Nankervis.

“He’s been good.  He’s nearly put a couple of our players in hospital with some of his tackles, but he’s had a real presence so far,” McQualter said.

“He’s a quiet, unassuming sort of guy, but works really hard . . .

“He’s made a great impression so far.”

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2017-02-15/tough-tobys-instant-tiger-impact

[Penelope]

His ability and willingness to compete for the ball, hit bodies and follow up and chase, is very impressive

I hope this isn't just in comparison to the low standard Hampson sets

[Lozza]

Feel he might be a real trier and give his all but regardless his clangers will even up the good stuff, I suppose even if he has a neutral game its still better than the minus games that Hampson has managed to dish out regularly, hope I am wrong about Nankers.

[the claw]

bloke is only 22 and enters yr 4. Hes a  juvenile in ruck terms.
He obviously showed all the  signs mentioned above at Sydney both on track and Neafl but none of it has translated to Afl yet.

Therein lies the problem or uncertainty.  Theres been nothing to suggest he wont at some stage make a good Afl ruckman but I think we have to be patient.
 We recruited a developing ruckman who likely will take time. But like everyone thinks it would be great if he came on in leaps and bounds and replaced Hampson.Unfortunately at AFL level to date he is still behind Hampson. At the moment the only area that has been acceptable at the level is his aggression and work with out the ball.

[Willy]

bloke is only 22 and enters yr 4. Hes a  juvenile in ruck terms.
He obviously showed all the  signs mentioned above at Sydney both on track and Neafl but none of it has translated to Afl yet.

Therein lies the problem or uncertainty.  Theres been nothing to suggest he wont at some stage make a good Afl ruckman but I think we have to be patient.
 We recruited a developing ruckman who likely will take time. But like everyone thinks it would be great if he came on in leaps and bounds and replaced Hampson.Unfortunately at AFL level to date he is still behind Hampson. At the moment the only area that has been acceptable at the level is his aggression and work with out the ball.

He was very handy in Swans finals win against Adelaide last year. Then he was dropped for Tippet who played like a donkey in the GF. My swans mates wanted him to stay in the team.

Not certain he's behind Hampson at AFL level.

[FlashGordon]

bloke is only 22 and enters yr 4. Hes a  juvenile in ruck terms.
He obviously showed all the  signs mentioned above at Sydney both on track and Neafl but none of it has translated to Afl yet.

Therein lies the problem or uncertainty. Theres been nothing to suggest he wont at some stage make a good Afl ruckman but I think we have to be patient.
 We recruited a developing ruckman who likely will take time. But like everyone thinks it would be great if he came on in leaps and bounds and replaced Hampson.Unfortunately at AFL level to date he is still behind Hampson. At the moment the only area that has been acceptable at the level is his aggression and work with out the ball.

All this = been there done that and what is of real concern is that from what little birdies have whispered to me, his selection was basically an afterthought of WTF lets do it type poo. 
If he works out it will be a bonus, but lets for once learn that for them to develop into good to top ruckman they need a base of some kind of skill that shows out from day one...havent we been down the same path a trillion times, affordeing the same excuse to the  likes of Steinfort, Biurton, Eastaugh, Browne Gus, Esler, Putt  etc....where we have waitied a decade for what was never going to happen to happen?
I have real concerns about this selection and from the info i have received re. his ability in most aspects outside this aggression is very limited and in fact ZERO...Why we allowed FJ to continue to be a part of recruiting is a complete mystery to me.  The Hampson charade is a pure desperate attempt to make right what every man and his dog knows was wrong with what we coughed up for him and this extension of 2 years for that he has provided us is complete and utter stupidity by a desperate regime wanting to delay the inevitable in the hope that the punters forget what they gave up for him and the other player we swooped on from the tankers for the same price.  Its there for all to see how desperate we are, when other teams arr building a list, we are resigning Ivvy who can harldy walk...like get real FFS

[YellowandBlackBlood]

bloke is only 22 and enters yr 4. Hes a  juvenile in ruck terms.
He obviously showed all the  signs mentioned above at Sydney both on track and Neafl but none of it has translated to Afl yet.

Therein lies the problem or uncertainty. Theres been nothing to suggest he wont at some stage make a good Afl ruckman but I think we have to be patient.
 We recruited a developing ruckman who likely will take time. But like everyone thinks it would be great if he came on in leaps and bounds and replaced Hampson.Unfortunately at AFL level to date he is still behind Hampson. At the moment the only area that has been acceptable at the level is his aggression and work with out the ball.

All this = been there done that and what is of real concern is that from what little birdies have whispered to me, his selection was basically an afterthought of WTF lets do it type poo. 
If he works out it will be a bonus, but lets for once learn that for them to develop into good to top ruckman they need a base of some kind of skill that shows out from day one...havent we been down the same path a trillion times, affordeing the same excuse to the  likes of Steinfort, Biurton, Eastaugh, Browne Gus, Esler, Putt  etc....where we have waitied a decade for what was never going to happen to happen?
I have real concerns about this selection and from the info i have received re. his ability in most aspects outside this aggression is very limited and in fact ZERO...Why we allowed FJ to continue to be a part of recruiting is a complete mystery to me.  The Hampson charade is a pure desperate attempt to make right what every man and his dog knows was wrong with what we coughed up for him and this extension of 2 years for that he has provided us is complete and utter stupidity by a desperate regime wanting to delay the inevitable in the hope that the punters forget what they gave up for him and the other player we swooped on from the tankers for the same price.  Its there for all to see how desperate we are, when other teams arr building a list, we are resigning Ivvy who can harldy walk...like get real FFS

Toby has a lot more tricks in his bag other than aggression.