Richmond flag trio Toby Nankervis, Dylan Grimes and Jack Graham sign new deals

RICHMOND has locked away three of its premiership stars with contract extensions until at least 2020, leaving just four flag-winning teammates set to be out of contract at the end of this year.

Jack Graham has signed a two-year extension with the Tigers. Picture: David Caird

RICHMOND has just four premiership players out of contract at the end of this year, with a trio of Tigers this week signing new extensions on their current deals.

Ruck revolution Toby Nankervis has added an extra year to his current three-year contract, locking him in at Punt Rd until the end of 2020.

Defender Dylan Grimes, out of contract at the end of this year, has signed until 2021, while Grand Final hero Jack Graham inked a two-year extension beyond this year.

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The signings leave defenders Nathan Broad and Bachar Houli, midfielder Shaun Grigg and forward Jacob Townsend as the only 2017 premiership players currently due out of contract this year.

Grimes, who played every game last season for the first time his eight-year career, said the playing group had shown a clear desire to stick together and build on last year’s success.

“I’m super proud to be part of this great club and a club that’s got so much improvement left in the future,” he said.

“We’ve got a really tight-knit group at the moment and our connection, our bond, is something that we’ve invested a lot in the last couple of years and I think we’re seeing rewards from that with a lot of players wanting to stay and also attracting a lot of new talent as well.”

Richmond premiership players Jack Graham, Toby Nankervis and Dylan Grimes have signed new deals to stay at the Tigers. Picture: David Caird

The new deal effectively makes Grimes, who turns 27 in July, a Tiger for life and comes after he was awarded life membership alongside every other premiership teammate last Saturday.

“I’m in my ninth season now and to be committing to being a Richmond player for life is a really good feeling,” he said.

“For me individually, the life membership is something I’ll take to my grave as being really, really proud of. It’s really something special.”

Grimes said Nankervis had taken “another stride forward” with his game over pre-season while 19-year-old Graham — who has played just five AFL games — was also showing signs of further development.

Richmond football manager Neil Balme said the signings were exciting for both the club and fans.

“It’s pleasing to see that Toby, Dylan and Jack are all invested in the long-term future of the Richmond Football Club,” he said.

“(They) are firmly focused on getting the most out of this pre-season and taking their football to another level in 2018.”