This isn't the end, insists NahasJennifer Phelan
afl.com.au
November 1, 2013ROBBIE Nahas believes he hasn't reached the end of his AFL journey and says he has plenty to offer a club willing to offer him a second chance.
The 25-year-old was delisted by Richmond this week but knew his days as a Tiger were over before the Gillette AFL Player Exchange Period began.
He knew the Tigers were going to try to trade him, and failing that, would cut him loose.
He has since returned from a two-and-a-half week US holiday but has been training since the end of the season in the hope of earning a lifeline.
The durable small forward says he will move anywhere and even take a rookie spot for the second time in his career if it means he can keep playing football.
"I've played the majority of games since I've been on an AFL list. I haven't missed too many and my stats haven't been too bad," Nahas told AFL.com.au in an exclusive interview.
"You don't really know what's going to happen. You just hope for the best and keep training and that's all I can do at the moment."
Nahas played every game in 2011 and 2012 before the Richmond team structure changed this season.
Shane Edwards and Jake King were picked ahead of Nahas, meaning he was relegated to the VFL for much of the season and finished with six senior appearances.
He was played across half-back in the second half of the season for Coburg, which he said was an experiment that allowed him to play good football and demonstrated his versatility.
He came second in Coburg's best and fairest despite playing just 14 games.
Even though his last year at Richmond didn't go to plan, Nahas has left the Tigers in a positive frame of mind, with his relationships with coach Damien Hardwick and good friends Edwards and King intact.
"The change of structure just hurt my position," he said.
"There became less positions available for my type of player in our side and that was the way it went.
"I did whatever I could to get back in the side and it was a tough year but one you learn a lot from to be honest, and you mature as a player and a person.
"You realise how quickly this can be taken away from you."
Nahas attended the Richmond best and fairest in early October despite knowing his fate, and has remained positive about adding to the 83 AFL games he played between 2009 and this year.
His manager Tom Petroro is handling enquiries and Nahas is yet to personally speak to any clubs having just returned from his holiday.
There have been links to West Coast and murmurings of other interest but nothing concrete.
Nahas will enter the NAB AFL Draft and NAB AFL Rookie Draft – where he got his start at Richmond in 2008 – if he isn't picked up as a delisted free agent next week.
But he remains sure he can offer someone something and is determined to repay any faith shown in him.
"I was understanding [this year]. You're understanding but you don't accept the position; no one should, especially at this level where everyone is pretty competitive for spots," he said.
"As understanding as you are, you shouldn't accept that. I never did.
"I'm 25 years old and I've still got plenty of football ahead of me and I've still got plenty to offer. I just know that for me this isn't the end.
"I haven't even packed up my locker yet. Until I'm moving to a new club, I'm not taking anything out of my locker."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-11-01/this-isnt-the-end
