Richmond support co-captain Toby Nankervis’ actions despite looming suspension

A looming suspension for a hit that concussed a Swans star won’t move Richmond to ask co-captain Toby Nankervis to change his ways.

Jake Lloyd was forced to leave the field. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Richmond caretaker coach Andrew McQualter wouldn’t change the way Toby Nankervis plays footy “for the world” despite the co-captain almost certainly set for a suspension after a hit that resulted in a concussion for Sydney’s Jake Lloyd.

In the second quarter of the Tigers’ come-from-behind 13-point win against the Swans on Thursday night at the MCG, Nankervis went past the ball and bumped Lloyd in the head, sending the Sydney defender crashing to the ground.

The hit left Lloyd reeling for a long time and he was ultimately subbed out, which will almost certainly ensure Nankervis cops a multiple-week ban.

But that’s a small price to pay if it means Richmond get the best out of their co-captain, according to McQualter.

“That’s been Toby’s greatest strength for a long time, his ability to get after the ball and the opposition and whatever comes of it comes,” McQualter said post-match.

“But we wouldn’t change Toby for the world.”

Sydney coach Longmire wouldn’t be drawn on whether the aggressor in such a collision should also sit out the rest of the game to ensure an unfair advantage isn’t gained by his team.

“Can’t do anything about it. You’ve just got to suck it up,” he said.

Lance Franklin is nailed by Toby Nankervis. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

McQualter’s support of Nankervis is unsurprising given the Richmond ruckman was immense, finishing with 18 disposals (12 contested), 32 hit-outs, six clearances, seven score involvements and a goal as he played a pivotal role in swinging the momentum in the Tigers’ favour after they fell 26 points in arrears.

His influence in the middle was a driving force behind the Tigers’ domination of clearances (47-31) and centre clearances (19-7) in particular.

“Toby had a great game … I thought Toby’s second half as captain he led the way with what he did, particularly, the first 15 minutes of that third quarter, I thought he was really significant,” McQualter said.

Toby Nankervis has been reported following this incident with Jake Lloyd.#AFLTigersSwanspic.twitter.com/KtLx5yTZGe

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In the previous two seasons, the Tigers had struggled to emerge from close games victorious.

But this year they’re 2-2 and while the final margin against the Swans was 13 points, there was only one point separating the two teams with under a minute to go.

McQualter was rapt with his team’s improvement in tight matches this season and praised their persistence in the second half after a slow start on Thursday night.

“We obviously had some challenges late in games over the last couple of years, so we’ve put a fair bit of work into that space,” he said.

“Ultimately it’s about leaders and people standing up in the final moments, and our guys were really able to do that tonight.

“To be fair, the first quarter-and-a-half, we were pretty ordinary.

“They’re a proud group, our players, and last week (81-point loss to Brisbane) was disappointing. We started a little bit disappointing tonight, but to be able to fight through that shows great leadership from our playing group.”