Tigers weigh up options on rookie

RICHMOND is indicating it is prepared to pass on Patrick Naish if made to pay too high a price for the talented father-son candidate.

But AFL clubs believe the Tigers are likely to take halfback and midfielder Naish with one of their two first-round picks which fall at 15 and 16.

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said yesterday the brilliant ball user still had a massive upside after his breakout year in the TAC Cup.

Likely to be used as a longkicking wingman and small forward until he grows into his frame, the 18-year-old is the son of 143-game Tigers forward Chris Naish. Unlike some of the big-bodied midfielders in the draft he might take time to play senior footy.

But Sheehan says he has a raking kick, innate goal sense and a strong mark for his size after averaging 22 possessions and 89 rankings points for Vic Metro. The Tigers have been aggressive bidders on a trio of academy players in recent years under the draft bidding system.

The industry expects given Naish’s talent a club will make a bid around the Tigers’ early picks to ensure he doesn’t fall through to the second round.