Richmond hasn’t told Patrick Naish if they’ll pick him with a father-son selection in AFL draft

PATRICK Naish would “love” to lob at Punt Road as a father-son selection in next month’s national draft. But Richmond doesn’t appear locked in to picking him just yet.

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

RICHMOND has not told Patrick Naish whether it will grant his draft dream and secure the outside midfielder as the club’s first father-son selection in 14 years.

Naish welled up in the MCG stands when Dustin Martin kicked the last goal of Saturday’s Grand Final and copped two memorable fend-offs from Martin during a tackling drill last pre-season.

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Only three clubs booked interviews with Naish at this week’s draft combine. On Wednesday he met with Fremantle, Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs.

St Kilda, Collingwood and West Coast, as well as the Lions and Dogs, have previously paid house visits.

Naish, 18, grew up idolising Brett Deledio and has studied the AFL’s complicated draft bidding system.

Patrick Naish in action for Vic Metro earlier this year. Picture: Stephen Harman

His two younger brothers — Xavier, 16, and Charlie, 12 — are also hopeful of playing for Richmond.

“I’m not going to lie — I’d love to go to Richmond,” Naish said.

“But at the same time I see myself as a professional bloke and a loyal person, so I’d take any opportunity with both hands. They’ve (Richmond) kept their cards close to their chest.”

The Dogs hold the No.9 pick and are a chance to bid for Naish before Richmond’s pair of first-round selections — 15 and 17.

The Tigers would almost certainly match that bid and take Naish, who would add a lick of class to their pressure and grunt.

Naish collected 21 disposals in the curtain-raiser to Saturday’s Grand Final and then informally spoke to Tigers recruiter Matt Clark and list boss Blair Hartley.

“When Dusty kicked that goal and grabbed his jumper I was like, ‘Oh s--t, I’m going to cry now’,” Naish said.

Patrick Naish loved it when Dustin Martin put the nail in the coffin. Picture: AAP

“Growing up me and dad went to most games, and I still try to get to most of the home games.”

Chris Naish played 143 games for Richmond from 1990-1997 and pores over his son’s vision with him.

Naish owns a raking right foot and kicked 10.3 in his 100th game of junior football.

He won two best-and-fairests at Ivanhoe and this year averaged 21.8 disposals and five score involvements for Vic Metro.

Naish has been invited to train with Richmond during the past two summers. He was placed in the backline and shadowed Brandon Ellis around the club.

“This year was the big one,” he said.

“Because it was before my (last junior season) I took away the factor that these guys are my heroes, because I wanted to get down to business and have a red-hot crack.”

Originally published as Richmond hasn’t told Patrick Naish if they’ll pick him with a father-son selection in AFL draft