Tigers score coup with Oakleigh’s tackling ‘superstar’

RICHMOND last night secured the draft’s best small forward Jack Higgins as well as father-son gem Patrick Naish to add to its premiership mosquito fleet.

The Tigers warned they want to maintain the manic tackle pressure which led them to this year’s flag after landing Higgins, a 178cm wrecking ball from Oakleigh, with pick No. 17.

Higgins was rated the No. 1 player by Champion Data and laid 15 tackles in a single game this season, but surprisingly fell outside the top-15 picks last night.

It helped kick-start a golden draft haul for the Tigers who were able to bolster their spine with three valuable talls before welcoming Naish at pick No. 34.

South Australian captain Callum Coleman-Jones (pick No. 20) is a 201cm ruck-forward, Noah Balta (No. 25) is a super-athletic key defender and 196cm Subiaco ruck Ben Miller (pick No. 63) has nice speed for a big man.

Naish last night said he was thrilled to land at Richmond where his father played 143 matches and join forces with close mate Higgins.

“’Higgo’ and I always roomed together so I’m so happy for him,” Naish said.

“He played more midfield and I was on the wing, so he would always give it out to me, but since he moved forward we kicked it a lot to each other in the carnival.

“I think Higgo and I can add to that pressure . He is a superstar.”

Richmond recruiting manager Matthew Clarke last night said Naish could develop in a Bachar Houli mould and was optimistic Higgins may push for selection from early next season.