This time seven years ago, Nathan Broad was playing football for WAFL club Swan Districts, hoping, rather than expecting, his AFL dream would come to fruition.
The then 22-year-old had been overlooked in several AFL drafts and as much as he still wanted a shot at the game’s highest level, he was realistic enough to know that was only a slim prospect.
Fast forward to July 2022 and Broad is on the verge of reaching the AFL’s 100-game milestone.
He is a triple Richmond premiership player and one of the most valuable, respected members of the Tigers’ team in his defensive role.
Broad’s ability to combine close-checking defence, strong intercept marking, along with attacking run out of the backline, makes him worth his weight in gold every time he wears the famous Yellow and Black colours on the field of battle.
In the lead-up to his 100th game, which will take place against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, Broad reflected on the path to Punt Road and the success that has followed for him.
“Missing four drafts in total was pretty hard. The first two were probably the hardest because I was still young and thought I was a chance,” Broad said.
“The dream was still there, but the chances probably drifted away a little bit. So, I just really enjoyed playing WAFL footy . . .
“I loved playing for Swan Districts. Had a good bunch of mates around me . . .
“No-one saw anything in me, missing all those drafts.
“I’m just so grateful that Richmond gave me an opportunity.
“Drafted at 22 and didn’t think I’d play one game, let alone 100.
“I debuted against Brisbane at the ‘G’ (Round 14, 2016) and I literally said to my dad if I don’t play another game I’m so rapt to play an AFL game. It’s just the best thing ever.
“And then, as the years have gone on, I’ve just wanted to play as much footy as I can . . .
“I feel like, as I’m getting older, it’s my turn to repay the faith for some of these younger boys.
“We’ve got some amazing talent coming up. I really want to try and build them up and one day, eventually, they’ll take my spot.”
Broad has a highly-impressive winning strike-rate of 72.2 percent throughout his playing career at Richmond, with the Tigers’ glorious, drought-breaking 2017 Grand Final victory over Adelaide the most special of them all, notwithstanding how good the two other premierships were.
“I was injured for the first 10 or 12 rounds of the year, so I was out of the side . . . Came in at the right time and was able to play in a premiership,” Broad said.
“It was pretty crazy. Pretty surreal, to be honest. It was the highlight of my career . . .
“Like I said, one game was like the best thing ever for me. To be three-time premiership is mind-blowing and something I’ll cherish forever.”
Richmond great Matthew Richardson paid tribute to Broad on this week’s episode of the Club’s podcast Talking Tigers.
“What he’s doing this year, better than ever, is his intercept marking, and even contested intercept marks,” Richardson said.
“Anyone can take an uncontested intercept mark, he’s taken them when there’s a lot of pressure on. His hands are really good.
“I think his decision-making, as his career’s gone on, has just become a lot more assured.
“And I reckon it’s pretty linear his improvement . . . Each year he’s just got a little bit better, and he’s been better again this year.
“You get 100 games out of a pick 67, that’s enormous.”
Across his AFL career, Broad is averaging 13.3 disposals, 4.5 marks, 3.0 rebound-50s, 5.1 intercepts, 4.5 one-percenters and 204.3 metres gained per game.
This season, he is averaging 19.1 disposals, 7.1 marks, 5.8 rebound-50s, 5.9 intercepts, 4.3 one-percenters and 338.0 metres gained per games.
