Tiger ruck reshuffle looms as Nankervis puts hand up

A Richmond co-captain is available for the Dreamtime game in a development which will significantly change the Tigers’ structure.

Richmond co-captain Toby Nankervis says he is feeling ‘pretty good’ and has put his hand up to play in the Dreamtime at the ‘G match. Picture: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

Richmond co-captain Toby Nankervis says he is more than happy to spend time forward in his return to the side to help accommodate in-form teammate Samson Ryan.

Nankervis says he is feeling “pretty good” in his comeback from ankle surgery, which has sidelined him for the last five weeks, and is hopeful of facing Essendon in the Dreamtime clash after training strongly at Punt Road on Thursday.

Whether he returns this week or next, the 28-year-old is set to take back the No.1 ruck mantle from Ryan, who is enjoying a rich vein of form and has the best hitout to advantage rate of any frontline ruckman this season at 42.7 per cent.

Nankervis said he thought he could form a strong partnership with the 22-year-old, who began the season playing predominantly forward but has grown into an impressive on-baller in his absence.

Richmond co-captain Toby Nankervis (right) hopes to make his return from a syndesmosis injury in the Dreamtime at the ’G game on Saturday night. Picture: Michael Klein

“(Ryan) is such a competitor and he’s first out on the track, last to leave, so it’s great to see him get some reward,” he said.

“I don’t pick the team, but I think his development has been awesome, not just at AFL level but the work he did in the off-season to come back in great shape.”

Nankervis, who has spent most of his 113 games at Richmond as the lone ruckman aside from chunks of 2019 and 2020 working in tandem with Ivan Soldo, said he was open to playing forward or “anywhere” to help coach Damien Hardwick find the best possible balance with his talls.

“I’m happy to play anywhere and to be involved in this great footy team and play on the MCG. I’ll play absolutely anywhere, so wherever that is, I don’t mind,” Nankervis said.

Samson Ryan’s superb past fortnight in the ruck means he may spend more time on the ball than anticipated in a split with Nankervis. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

“I think it’s a really good thing to have guys who can play multiple positions, and that’s something Dimma is really big on as well, so whatever is going to help the team win I think is a positive.”

Nankervis said he was excited to watch triple premiership teammate Dustin Martin’s performance in Richmond’s emphatic Friday night win over Geelong, but added the superstar’s impact was helped by other Tigers pulling their weight.

“He was pretty good, wasn’t he? It was great to see him; the crowd just ignites when he gets the ball,” he said.

“I think he’s had a really strong start to the season … there’s so much expectation on Dustin, but as a team we haven’t been playing our best footy.

“A lot of that probably falls on Dustin and Shai, on those types of players, but the better we play as a team, the better Dusty will play.”

Originally published as Tiger ruck reshuffle looms as Nankervis puts hand up