Richmond set to take Patrick Naish as a father-son selection

EX-RICHMOND forward Chris Naish is confident his son Patrick will land at Punt Rd in the draft and only a dramatic development will change his former club’s mind.

CHRIS Naish has received a positive indication of Richmond’s intent, and only a dramatic development will keep his son Patrick from landing at Punt Rd.

The Tigers seem certain to take the line-breaking, long-kicking utility in Friday night’s draft, an unexpected top-10 bid from a rival the only potential curve ball.

Richmond has the best draft hand of a reigning premier in more than a decade — picks 17, 20 and 25.

No reigning premier since Port Adelaide had four picks within 35 in 2004 has had as many high picks.

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Chris Naish said he and wife Leah would be thrilled to see their son follow in his footsteps but also excited Richmond seems on the brink of long-term success.

They met the Tigers again several weeks ago after years of contact and every indication pointed to the Tigers taking him.

Patrick Naish could follow his father Chris at Richmond. Picture: Stephen Harman

Richmond has warned it will not necessarily match an early bid but a pick swap handing them another top-25 selection in the trade period saw them covering their bases.

“Richmond came around a few weeks ago and we signed the father-son forms,” Chris Naish said.

“Even then they were saying they would love to commit.

“We will wait until the day but everything looks positive. They said, ‘We love the kid, we think he has a lot of upside’.

“But, again, they can’t pre-empt what another club will do. They will assess it on the day but the discussions we have had have been very positive.”

Talented swingman Jarrod Brander is regarded as a good chance to slip through to pick 17 as the Tigers go on the hunt for tall players.

To take Brander and two more talls, then match a deal for Naish afterwards, would be a dream draft for the Tigers.

Chris Naish played 143 of his 161 AFL games with Richmond between (190-97).

The stocky, clever 173cm forward kicked 212 goals for the Tigers before crossing to Port Adelaide, where he played 18 games and kicked 16 goals in 1998-99.

Some recruiters are concerned Patrick, a lovely kick who has played half-back and half- forward, wins fewer than 30 per cent of his possessions in the contest.

His father agrees with AFL talent boss Kevin Sheehan, who believes his massive upside combats any worries about contested possessions.

“He has got good endurance, he has got good athleticism, the opposite to his dad,” Naish said.

“The other thing is that he’s not too developed yet. He has already got attributes you could say are good for the AFL but he has a lot of development. So he will put on size and weight.”

Patrick Naish celebrates a goal playing for Vic Metro. Picture: Stephen Harman

Naish would be Richmond’s first father-son pick since Tom Roach in 2003.

“No doubt I would be proud,” Chris Naish said.

“He would be joining a club that is on the rise and in a really strong position.

“They have got their backyard in order, and I can’t see why they wouldn’t have sustained success for a period of time.

“As a former player it’s only a good thing to know your club is in good hands.”

Originally published as Richmond set to take Patrick Naish as a father-son selection