Northern Knights’ Patrick Naish is waiting on the AFL national draft like many other teenagers around the country.
While the fate of many are unknown, Naish knows he’s almost guaranteed to be selected, it’s just a matter of which team he’ll go to.
Richmond has nominated Naish as a father-son pick. And while Naish said going to the Tigers would be a dream come true he knows the move isn’t guaranteed and another club could swoop on him earlier in the draft.
Either way, he’s happy.
If he is picked up by the Tigers, he will be following in the footsteps of his father Chris Naish, who played 143 games for the yellow and black.
“I’ve barracked for them my whole life,” Naish said last week.
“I was chatting to dad the other day about it and we were saying I’ve just about reached my dream of hopefully getting drafted.
“To play at Richmond is a dream, even to play AFL is one.”
Naish, who has spent some time at Richmond over the past year, said his experiences at the club had helped his football.
“I spent a couple of weeks in the pre-season getting to know everyone and getting to know myself in an elite environment,” he said.
“I was with them all day, every day. I spent a lot of time with the backline group and guys like Brandon Ellis were really good helping me out. I went in and did revision sessions throughout the year and got in there whenever I could.”
The 18-year-old this year combined Northern Knights, school football and being part of the AFL academy. He admits it was difficult at times.
“The key thing was to be organised,” he said. “I’m not the most organised bloke and I had to adapt. I got used to it as the year went on.
“I’ve played with a lot of enjoyment this year,” he said. “I was playing with my mates for the last time and I let results take care of themselves.
“Everyone puts pressure on themselves with football, I just wanted to enjoy it.”
Naish, who plays prominently as a midfielder, knows he has work ahead of him before stepping onto the AFL stage.
With school exams out of the way, he said he would try and relax and spend time with family, his girlfriend and friends before the draft.
“I was a midfielder as a kid and enjoy playing on the wing,” he said. “I enjoyed playing a bit forward and I see myself as a versatile player.
