Not ‘kids’ – men: Nank drives high standard at Tigers

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Not ‘kids’ – men: Nank drives high standard at Tigers

Just because it will take time doesn’t mean Richmond are tempering the expectations on their healthy crop of young AFL talent.

Sunday’s clash with North Melbourne at the MCG will be a checkpoint for two teams at the bottom of the table who are deep into their rebuilds.

The Tigers – tipped pre-season to not win a game – are coming off a tight win over West Coast and look on the right track.

North took a big step in the right direction last weekend when they drew with reigning premiers Brisbane.

The Tigers’ strategy is clear for the post-Dustin Martin era, stocking up on high draft picks and blending them with premiership stars such as captain Toby Nankervis.

Sunday’s win was equal parts Nathan Broad’s experience across half-back and Tom Brown’s game-saving tackle in the last minute.

Nankervis says just while their youngsters are learning, they’re also being held to account.

“You say ‘kids’ – to me, they’re not kids, they’re men. We expect them to behave like men, play like men. That’s reality,” he told AAP.

“When you put on the jumper, you have a responsibility – it doesn’t matter if you’re 18 or 28 or 35.

“That’s the environment we want to create. It’s awesome, they bring so much enthusiasm, the young players – I’m just absolutely eating it up.”

Nankervis echoed the sentiments of coach Adem Yze this week, when asked about the outside noise around what the Tigers might do this season.

Surely he and a few of the other Richmond veterans had their pride pricked by the predictions of Punt Rd doom?

Nankervis, like Yze, says he couldn’t care less.

“If you rely on external influences to get yourself up, you’re kidding yourself, really,” Nankervis said.

“We work so hard, we have our system and our process. Whatever happens externally will happen.

“Your wins are great and that’s why we play the game, but it’s more about our system and the way we play.

“That’s what the best teams do for four quarters, that’s what we see teams do in finals. That’s the team we want to become … we’ll get there.”

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