Nathan Broad’s value to the Richmond team was exemplified in last night’s 24-point victory over Geelong at the MCG.

The triple Tiger premiership defender was assigned the extremely tough task of curbing brilliant Cats key forward Jeremy Cameron, who had kicked 33 goals in the first eight rounds of the 2023 season and was being acknowledged by many football critics as the competition’s best player.

Broad rose to the challenge superbly, restricting Cameron to just one goal.

Not only did Broad do such a fine job defensively on Cameron he also provided the Tigers with good rebound out of the backline.

He finished the match with 19 disposals, seven marks, an equal team-high six rebound-50s, equal game-high 11 intercepts, game-high 12 one-percenters and 361 metres gained.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick noted in his post-match press conference how important Broad was within the Tigers’ line-up, and how much he had been missed while he was serving a four-match suspension earlier this season.

“I thought ‘Broady’ did a wonderful job on Cameron,” Hardwick said.

“Nathan Broad, whilst in our four walls he’s really highly regarded, he probably doesn’t get the respect outside that.

“But the four games he’s missed, as harsh as it was, were crucial.

“All those sorts of players that he generally takes, they were sort of hurting us.

“So, we’re really pleased he’s back in the side and starting to understand how important he is.”

Broad, a 30-year-old veteran of 112 games with the Tigers, is averaging 16.8 disposals, 4.8 marks, 4.0 rebound-50s, 5.2 intercepts, 6.8 one-percenters and 287.4 metres gained per match this season.