While star midfielder Dion Prestia’s trade from Gold Coast to Richmond in October 2016 attracted plenty of publicity, the Tigers acquisition of young Sydney ruckman Toby Nankervis during that period went through quickly and without any fanfare.
Nankervis, who had played just 12 senior games in three seasons with the Swans, informed them of his desire to join Richmond, and he was traded a day later for pick 46 in the 2016 AFL national draft.
Less than a year later, Nankervis was the No. 1 ruckman in the Tigers’ drought-breaking 2017 premiership team.
Just three years on from that, he was a triple Richmond premiership player.
A further two years subsequently, Nankervis led the Tigers into a finals series as the team’s co-captain.
What a bargain-basement bonanza he has proven to be for Richmond.
When Nankervis’ trade to Tigerland was completed, the Club’s then general manager of football talent, Dan Richardson, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Toby to the Club. While only 22 years of age, he’s a strong and competitive ruckman-forward, which is really exciting.
“Going into the trade period, we identified a need to add to our ruck-forward stocks, and Toby absolutely fits this criteria.
“While we respect that it was a difficult decision for him to leave the Swans, after a number of discussions with Toby and his manager Paul Koutoufides, we are pleased he has decided to join Richmond.
“Toby has already shown an ability to impact at AFL level and we see him playing a valuable role for us in 2017 and beyond.”
Nankervis expressed plenty of enthusiasm for his move to Punt Road.
“It is exciting. I remember as a kid going to the ‘G’ and watching a few Tiges’ games . . . There’s nothing like the Tiger roar, I reckon . . . It’s something you can’t really describe,” he said.
Nankervis also provided the Tiger Army with an insight into his football attributes and aspirations.
“I really pride myself on being a competitive ruckman, following up with second and third efforts,” he said.
“Hopefully I can expand my game and be able to cover the ground better, be more athletic, and go up forward and kick some goals as well.”
