Toby Nankervis

Toby Nankervis

Nankervis in March 2017
Personal information
Full name Toby Nankervis
Nickname(s) Nank the Tank[1]
Date of birth (1994-08-12) 12 August 1994
Original team(s) North Launceston (TFL)
Draft No. 35, 2013 AFL National draft: Sydney
Debut Round 14, 2015, Sydney
vs. Port Adelaide, at SCG
Height 199 cm (6 ft 6 in)
Weight 106 kg (234 lb)
Position(s) Ruck / Forward
Club information
Current club Richmond
Number 25
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2014–2016 Sydney 12 0(3)
2017– Richmond 17 0(9)
Total 29 (12)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 19, 2017.
Career highlights

Junior

  • U-18 Division 2 Best & Fairest: 2012
  • U-18 All Australian: 2012
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Toby Nankervis (born 12 August 1994) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for the Sydney Swans from 2014 to 2016.

Early life and junior football

Toby Nankervis was born to parents Sharon and Kingsley in August 1994.[2] He spent his early years in the South-West Melbourne suburb of Point Cook before the family moved to the rural north-eastern Tasmanian town of George Town.[3][4]

He played football above his age group, playing senior matches for the North Launceston Football Club in the Tasmanian Football League as a junior.[5]

Nankervis was draft eligible in 2012, but was passed over in both the national and rookie drafts.[6]

In 2013 Nankervis represented Tasmania in the National Under 18 Championships.[5] He was particularly dominant in a match against the Northern Territory where he recorded 22 disposals, nine marks and kicked five goals.[6] He was named the competition's best ruck, winning All-Australian selection as well as being a joint winner of the Harrison Medal for Division 2's best and fairest player.[5]

In addition to football, Nankervis was also a promising junior cricketer. He was once a member of the Tasmanian Cricket Academy and played for his state through Under-17s level.[4]

AFL career

Sydney (2014-2016)

Nankervis was drafted by Sydney with the club's third pick and the 35th selection overall in the 2013 AFL National draft.[7]

Nankervis did not play senior football for the Swans in his first season, instead playing 18 matches with the club's reserves side in the NEAFL.[8][9] He was on the brink of selection on a number of times, being named as a senior emergency in eight matches that season.[4]

He made his debut in tound 14 2015, in a match against Port Adelaide at the Sydney Cricket Ground[10] He kicked a goal on debut, to go along with ten disposals and six hit outs.[11] He finished the season having played five matches at AFL level.[12]

Nankervis was considered a fourth option ruckman in 2016, clearly behind teammates Kurt Tippett, Callum Sinclair and Sam Naismith.[13] He played sporadically across the year, playing a total of seven matches. He played in the club's semi-final match against Adelaide, recording a then-career-high 15 disposals along with 16 hit-outs.[14] Whilst he did not ultimately play, Nankervis was named as an emergency in the Swans' 2016 Grand Final team.[15] Though his impact at senior level was minimal, he was named in the 2016 NEAFL Team of the Year for his performances in the club's reserve side.[5] He played 13 matches for the reserves side, kicking 19 goals in the process.[16] In a match against Eastlake he kicked six goals and took 11 marks.[17]

Richmond (2017–present)

At the conclusion of the 2016 season, Nankervis sought a contract away from Sydney, looking for greater opportunities to play at the AFL level.[14] On 19 October 2016 he was traded to Richmond in exchange for a third round draft selection.[16][18]

In his first pre-season at the club, Nankervis was lauded for his aggresive playing style, with Richmond forward Sam Lloyd claiming Nankervis had "a bit of mongrel in him."[3] The club's coaching staff also heaped praise upon him, with Blake Caracella noting his willingness to "hit bodies and follow up and chase" while Andrew McQualter claimed Nankervis had "nearly put a couple of our players in hospital with his tackles."[19] On the back of his impressive pre-season training efforts and a serious back injury to fellow ruck Shaun Hampson, Nankervis spent the JLT Community Series playing as the club's primary ruckman.[3] He solidified his standing thanks to three consecutive strong performances and forced his way into position as the club's leading ruck.

Nankervis contests a boundary throw-in with Collingwood's Brodie Grundy in round 2, 2017

Nankervis made his Richmond debut in the 2017 season opening match, a victory over Carlton at the MCG.[20] He recorded career bests for hit-outs (27) and goals (2) in the match.[12] Nankervis followed this up with another impressive game in round 2's win over Collingwood. Though Nankervis was beaten in the ruck by Brodie Grundy (45-18 hit-outs), it was his work around the ground that impressed coach Damien Hardwick.[21] He recorded career highs for disposals (21), clearances (an equal team-high seven), inside-50s (6), rebound-50s (3) and contested possessions (14).[12] It was the most contested possessions by a Richmond ruckman since Brad Ottens recorded 18 in round 17, 2003.[22] Nankervis set a Richmond club record in round 5 when he posted 56 hitouts in a win over Melbourne on Anzac Day eve.[1][23] After five rounds Richmond remained unbeaten, with Nankervis' former club Sydney yet to win a match in season 2017. At the time he was ranked third in the league for Rucks under Champion Data's ranking points system which aggregates various statistical categories.[24] In round 6, Nankervis was reported for an off-the-ball elbow on Adelaide's David Mackay.[25] He was subsequently offered (and accepted) a one-match suspension by the AFL's Match Review Panel. [26] He returned in the club's round 8 loss to Fremantle.[27]

In May Nankervis was labelled "a revelation" by The Age journalist Rohan Connolly, for his presence in a revitalised Richmond midfield. In the same article he was rated the sixth best trade pick-up of the off-season.[28] Jon Ralph of the Herald Sun went so far as to label Nankervis the number one recruit in the league that year.[29][30]

In round 10's Dreamtime at the 'G match, Nankervis would kick a running goal from the 50 metre arc to seal the game in the final two minutes.[31] After ten rounds Nankervis ranked 20th in the league for hit-outs (26.4), but among rucks was sixth in clearances (2.9), and fifth for both tackles (3.1) and disposals (13.8).[32] He played his old club Sydney in round 13 and equaled a career high nine tackles in the match.[33] When young ruck Ivan Soldo was added to the side in round 17, Nankervis saw a change in role, moved from a midfield exclusive role to one stationed mostly out of the Richmond forward line.[34] An eye-injury to full forward Jack Riewoldt caused him to miss round 19 and saw Nankervis was asked to fill his role, kicking a career high three goals in the process.[35]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of round 19, 2017[12]
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles  H/O  Hit-outs
Season Team # Games G B K H D M T H/O G B K H D M T H/O
Totals Averages (per game)
2014 Sydney 13 0 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
2015 Sydney 13 5 1 2 17 22 39 9 20 42 0.2 0.4 3.4 4.4 7.8 1.8 4.0 8.4
2016 Sydney 13 7 2 2 26 55 81 12 36 99 0.3 0.3 3.7 7.9 11.6 1.7 5.1 14.1
2017 Richmond 25 17 9 5 125 118 243 50 64 396 0.5 0.3 7.4 6.9 14.3 2.9 3.8 23.3
Career 29 12 9 168 195 363 71 120 537 0.4 0.3 5.8 6.7 12.5 2.4 4.1 18.5

References

  1. 1 2 Walsh, Courtney (29 April 2017). "Richmond recruit Toby Nankervis fast becoming a fan favourite". The Australian. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  2. ↑ Fair, Alex (7 February 2017). "New Tiger Toby Nankervis looking forward to more football at Richmond". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 Wood, Lauren (7 April 2017). "Richmond’s Toby Nankervis grabbing his opportunity after trade from Sydney Swans". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 Wu, Andrew (1 July 2015). "Former cricketer Toby Nankervis to fill shoes of Buddy Franklin and Kurt Tippett for Sydney Swans". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Greenberg, Tony (19 October 2016). "10 things about Toby Nankervis". Richmond FC. Bigpond. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  6. 1 2 Twomey, Callum (10 November 2013). "11 days to the draft: Meet gun prospect Toby Nankervis". AFL Media. Bigpond. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  7. ↑ Wu, Andrew (1 July 2015), "Former cricketer Toby Nankervis to fill shoes of Buddy Franklin and Kurt Tippett for Sydney Swans", Sydney Morning Herald
  8. ↑ Laing, Jordan (20 January 2015). "Better prepared". Swans Media. Bigpond. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  9. ↑ Paolucci, Tanya (24 October 2014). "2014 in review: Toby Nankervis". Swans Media. Bigpond. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  10. ↑ Earle, Richard (2 July 2015), "Port Adelaide has to ‘man up’, says Power coach Ken Hinkley", The Advertiser
  11. ↑ "Round 14 2015, Sydney vs Port Adelaide". AFL Tables. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Toby Nankervis". AFL Tables. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  13. ↑ Olle, Sarah (16 November 2016). "Toby Nankervis wants to establish himself as a competitive ruckman at his second club Richmond". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  14. 1 2 Ryan, Peter (18 October 2016). "Swans ruckman Nankervis seeks trade to Richmond". AFL Media. Bigpond. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  15. ↑ "Final teams for 2016 AFL Grand Final – Western Bulldogs vs Sydney Swans". The Roar. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  16. 1 2 "Tigers boost ruck stocks with big Swan Toby Nankervis". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. 19 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  17. ↑ Ryan, Peter (15 July 2016). "Rival clubs circling big Swan Toby Nankervis". AFL Media. Bigpond. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  18. ↑ "Sydney Swans trade ruckman Toby Nankervis to Richmond". The Daily Telegraph. News Corp Australia. 19 October 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  19. ↑ Paton, Al (23 February 2017). "Richmond recruit Toby Nankervis in line to be Tigers’ No.1 ruckman". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  20. ↑ Greenberg, Tony (25 March 2017). "Tigers can bank on ‘Nank’". Richmond FC. Bigpond. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  21. ↑ Pierik, Jon (6 April 2017). "Richmond Tigers' Dustin Martin given all clear to face West Coast Eagles". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  22. ↑ Greenberg, Tony (1 April 2017). "Tiger Toby’s flying start". Richmond FC. Bigpond. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  23. ↑ "Richmond - Season and Game Records (1965-2017)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  24. ↑ Waterworth, Ben (25 April 2017). "AFL’s happiest player: Toby Nankervis stunning AFL world, stars in Richmond win over Melbourne". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  25. ↑ Wood, Lauren (1 May 2017). "Toby Greene can accept a two-game ban, Toby Nankervis a one-match ban from MRP". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  26. ↑ Gleeson, Micael (1 May 2017). "AFL's match review panel failed to apply the rules on Nat Fyfe and Toby Nankervis". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  27. ↑ "Timely returns boost Tigers against Freo". SBS.com.au. SBS. AAP. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  28. ↑ Connolly, Rohan (19 May 2017). "The best - and the rest - of 2016 AFL trades". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  29. ↑ Ralph, Jon (11 May 2017). "Trade period review: Why the Hawks should be worried, Tigers and Saints big winners". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  30. ↑ Ralph, Jon (12 May 2017). "We rate every club’s off-season trade and free agency recruits after seven weeks". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  31. ↑ Slessor, Camron (29 May 2017). "Tasmanians in the AFL Nankervis seals win in Dreamtime thriller". The Examiner. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  32. ↑ Schmook, Nathan (1 June 2017). "Has 'Nank' got the tank to beat Goldstein?". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  33. ↑ Fair, Alex (19 June 2017). "AFL 2017: Sydney reunion not a happy one for Richmond's Toby Nankervis". The Advocate. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  34. ↑ Laughton, Max (29 July 2017). "What we learned: A lack of Jack Riewoldt didn’t hurt Richmond too much in win over Gold Coast". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  35. ↑ Black, Sarah (29 July 2017). "Makeshift forward line delivers without Jack". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
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