Richmond is a step closer to having its first father-son since 2003 after formally nominating Patrick Naish under the AFL's rules.

The Tigers lodged the paperwork this week ahead of the October 31 deadline in a move that will give them the power to match a bid for the midfielder on draft night later this month.

The official nomination is not a guarantee the Tigers will select Naish, however, with the club to wait to see where a bid comes on the son of former Richmond forward Chris before deciding whether to get him to Punt Road.

The best result for the Tigers would be that a bid for Naish doesn't come until after their three top-25 picks (No.17, 20 and 25) and there is a possibility that happens.

It is considered more unlikely than likely a bid will come for the 18-year-old before Richmond's first selection, but it could fall among the next handful of picks.

The lightly built but line-breaking Naish had a strong season in 2017, and was named in the NAB AFL Under-18 All Australian team after a consistent championships for Vic Metro.

He also averaged 22 disposals for the Northern Knights at TAC Cup level and showed his forward prowess by kicking 13 goals in eight games. He has been a member of Richmond's father-son program over the past several years.

His father played 143 games for the club (and 18 for Port Adelaide) and booted 212 goals in the yellow and black between 1990-97