Richmond yet to commit to selecting son of former forward Chris Naish in 2017 draft
FORMER Richmond forward Chris Naish says the recruitment of his son Patrick to Punt Road would be a dream come true — but will the Tigers make it happen?
FORMER Richmond forward Chris Naish says the recruitment of his son, Patrick, to Punt Road would be a dream come true.
But despite a brilliant national under-18 championships the Tigers have stopped short of committing to silky halfback Patrick Naish, a potential first-round pick in November’s draft.
Medium-sized defender Patrick yesterday won All-Australian U18 honours after averaging 519 metres gained — the No.1 ranked player in that category — across the four games.
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He averaged 89 ranking points, an elite 22 disposals and kicked three goals, but won only 22 per cent of his disposals in the contest.
The Tigers have their own first-round pick (currently at pick 15) and Geelong’s first selection (pick 16), with Naish likely to be a late first-rounder.
Under the AFL’s father-son bidding system, playing their hand early would be counter-productive given they have to match a rival bid.
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AFL Academy member Naish spent time at Richmond over the summer and still attends Richmond games with 143-game Tigers veteran Chris and siblings Xavier, Rose and Charlie.
“He would love to play for Richmond and he would go to any club to get an opportunity, but he has got a real soft spot for the Tigers,” Reach Foundation chief executive Chris Naish said yesterday.
“Richmond often drop him a line and encourage him and wish him all the best, but nothing more than that.
“I don’t think they are allowed to either. They would have wanted to look at his carnival and sit back and see how it unfolded.
“He is enjoying himself and having fun and getting a few kicks, but at the same time he has a lot to learn which is a part of being 18.”
The Northern Knights prospect first spent time at Richmond after the nnder-16 carnival and spent some Tuesday and Thursday nights there last year.
In December he completed another training block with the club, thrilled to be taken to lunch by Trent Cotchin and develop a relationship with Damien Hardwick.
“He had the two weeks there and loved it,” Chris Naish said.
“If it did fall that way he would be more familiar with some of his idols who he loves watching. “He loved training with Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin and rubbing shoulders with some of the young guys.
“We still go as a family to watch, all four kids and my wife and I follow the Tigers, so no doubt it would be great (if they drafted him).”
Naish will play another game and a final for Ivanhoe Grammar then finish the TAC Cup season at the Northern Knights.
Chris Naish played for eight years at the Tigers then added 18 games in two years with Port Adelaide before working with the NBL and as the CFO of AFL SportsReady.
Originally published as Richmond yet to commit to selecting son of former forward Chris Naish in 2017 draft