Nankervis relishing his new environmentAustralian 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/