Richmond co-captain Toby Nankervis says he’s more than pleased to spend time ahead in his return to the aspect to assist accommodate in-form teammate Samson Ryan.
Nankervis says he’s feeling “pretty good” in his comeback from ankle surgical procedure, which has sidelined him for the final 5 weeks, and is hopeful of dealing with Essendon within the Dreamtime conflict after coaching strongly at Punt Road on Thursday.
Whether he returns this week or subsequent, the 28-year-old is ready to take again the No.1 ruck mantle from Ryan, who’s having fun with a wealthy vein of type and has the most effective hitout to benefit fee of any frontline ruckman this season at 42.7 per cent.
Nankervis mentioned he thought he may type a robust partnership with the 22-year-old, who started the season enjoying predominantly ahead however has grown into a formidable on-baller in his absence.
“(Ryan) is such a competitor and he’s first out on the track, last to leave, so it’s great to see him get some reward,” he mentioned.
“I don’t pick the team, but I think his development has been awesome, not just at AFL level but the work he did in the off-season to come back in great shape.”
Nankervis, who has spent most of his 113 video games at Richmond because the lone ruckman except for chunks of 2019 and 2020 working in tandem with Ivan Soldo, mentioned he was open to enjoying ahead or “anywhere” to assist coach Damien Hardwick discover the absolute best stability along with his talls.
“I’m happy to play anywhere and to be involved in this great footy team and play on the MCG. I’ll play absolutely anywhere, so wherever that is, I don’t mind,” Nankervis mentioned.
“I think it’s a really good thing to have guys who can play multiple positions, and that’s something Dimma is really big on as well, so whatever is going to help the team win I think is a positive.”
Nankervis mentioned he was excited to observe triple premiership teammate Dustin Martin’s efficiency in Richmond’s emphatic Friday evening win over Geelong, however added the famous person’s impression was helped by different Tigers pulling their weight.
“He was pretty good, wasn’t he? It was great to see him; the crowd just ignites when he gets the ball,” he mentioned.
“I think he’s had a really strong start to the season … there’s so much expectation on Dustin, but as a team we haven’t been playing our best footy.
“A lot of that probably falls on Dustin and Shai, on those types of players, but the better we play as a team, the better Dusty will play.”
Source: www.news.com.au
