Richmond coach Damien Hardwick backed Toby Nankervis to bounce back strongly against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval last night – and the triple Tiger premiership ruckman did not let him down.
Nankervis was well beaten by Sydney ruckman Tom Hickey in Richmond’s Round 3 loss to the Swans at the MCG, but Hardwick anticipated a strong response from him under the Adelaide Oval lights v the Power.
“He probably had not the game that he would have liked last week, but he is a very proud man, ‘Tobes’, so it’s one guy I don’t have to prod too hard to get a better performance this week,” Hardwick said in his media conference leading into the Round 4 clash.
“He’s been incredible for us, and he’ll be incredible again on Friday night, I have no doubt.”
Hardwick was certainly proven right, with Nankervis having 22 disposals, six clearances, nine intercepts, 19 hit-outs and taking six marks in a top-notch performance that again highlighted his importance to the Tigers.
