In a special series leading into this week’s AFL national and rookie drafts, Richmond Media is looking at those members of the Tigers’ 2020 premiership team who have proven to be brilliant, bargain-basement buys for the Club. Our specific focus is on the start of their Tigerland journey. Today we turn our attention to triple premiership defender Nathan Broad.

What the Richmond recruiters said about Broad after he was drafted

“Playing as a dashing defender, Nathan enjoyed a strong season at WAFL level with Swan Districts, averaging 20 disposals in 20 games.

The 22-year-old also managed to shut down some of the most dangerous forwards in the WAFL competition.

Broad was a standout at the West Australian state screening in October, running 24.04 seconds in the repeat sprint (better than any player in the national combine) and recording a third-best beep test (level 14.1).

Originally from Wubin (about 250 kilometres north east of Perth), Nathan relocated to Perth when he was 16 and attended Governor Stirling High School on a sports scholarship.

Having been part of the Swan Districts’ development program for five years, he will enter the AFL system as a ready-made, mature-age player, who has the athleticism and competitiveness to play on tall and small forwards.”

Swan Districts coach at the time, Greg Harding, on Broad

“Nathan is a real endurance athlete, who was our best two-kilometre runner at the club, but he also has high speed as well.

We flicked him around off a wing and half-back, but he settled across half-back and he had an outstanding year in which he finished fourth in our best and fairest.

The level of development that came out of him this year was staggering, to be honest.

The major knock on him has been his composure and decision-making, but he’s improved that out of sight.

He averaged 20 disposals per game (in 2015) and played on the good players, but could also play a free-flowing game when required.

He’s got a nice balance between attack and defence.

Considering where he was at this time last year, there has been a huge change.”

Richmond Media article on Broad’s AFL debut

Nathan Broad was having breakfast with a mate at about 9.30 last Saturday morning, when he received a phone call from Richmond coach Damien Hardwick to tell him he’d be making his senior league debut that afternoon against Brisbane at the MCG.

The Tigers’ mature-age recruit from WAFL club Swan Districts had been named as an emergency for the match, but he was a late replacement for defender Jake Batchelor, who was forced to withdraw from the side because of a back/hamstring issue.

Broad overcame the initial shock at his inclusion, to produce a more than adequate performance at the game’s highest level, picking up 14 disposals, including five intercepts, taking five marks, and providing some good run and carry out of the backline in Richmond’s 42-point win.

“It was very exciting,” Broad said.

“I took it all in, in the warm-up, which was the main thing everyone told me to do.  And then, once I got out on the ground, it was fine. 

“It was comfortable, the nerves were all settled, and I just settled into the game nicely. 

“All the boys made it easy for me . . .”

Broad believes the few seasons he spent playing senior football for Swan Districts in the WAFL has helped make his transition into AFL ranks “a bit easier”.

“My body’s matured now, and it’s ready to go,” Broad said.

“I felt comfortable out there with the bigger bodies, which is nice.”

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick liked what he saw from the athletic 23-year-old first-up in the Tigers’ senior line-up.

“He was probably a little bit nervous and a bit hesitant early – as you would be when you only get a phone call this morning to tell you you’re playing.  But, as the game progressed, I thought he looked at home,” Hardwick said.

“He’ll only take confidence out of that . . .

“I think he’s going to be a solid player for us.” 

“It was good to give him an opportunity.”

Nathan Broad fact file

Draft history: Richmond’s third pick (No. 67 overall) in the 2015 AFL national draft.

AFL debut: Round 14, 2016 v Brisbane, MCG.

Total games: 70

Goals: 1

Playing honours: Triple premiership player 2017, 2019, 2020.