Rookie Robin's need for speed

[Toadvine]

SMALL, but lightning quick. Good eye for a goal. What's not to like?

Robin Nahas was selected by Richmond with its first pick at last year's NAB AFL Rookie Draft, but would have gone even earlier in the day if not for a certain B. Cousins taking the Tigers' only pre-season draft pick.

A stellar 2008 saw the 21-year-old clock the half-ton for Port Melbourne in the VFL, win the Frank Johnson Medal as Victoria's best player in the state game against the SANFL and also snare the VFL's Rising Star equivalent, the Fothergill-Round Medal.

The year was capped off when the Tigers took him at number eight overall in the rookie draft.

Nahas said his time at Port under coach Gary Ayres was the catalyst for selection into AFL ranks.

"Ayresy was really good to me this year – he played me as a small forward," he told richmondfc.com.au. "I kicked 50 goals this year, and I think most of it has to do with Gary and the way he coached – he played me to my strengths.

"It was good to get nominated and end up winning it (the Fothergill-Round Medal), but all year it was mainly due to the success of the team that let me come through.

"The better the team plays, the better the individual plays, especially if you're a forward.

"My asset is my leg speed – he played me up forward and [I was] pretty lucky."

more here -> http://richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/default.aspx?newsid=72044

Look forward to seeing him play on Sunday. Hopefully he gets a lot of game time. Could be a very handy addition to our 22 this season given the opportunity

 

[Barnzy123]

He won't get a game unless someone gets injured but will most likely be elevated. Once he packs on 10kg atleast he might be a chance. Looking at him though he could be one of those kids that just can't put on weight no matter what they do/eat.

Good luck to him though.

 

[Roachy8]

I'm very keen on this kid, seems to have his head screwed on right.

I like the way he recognises his role to tackle and pressure in the forward line and I particularly like this quote:

"I'm very lucky to get a chance to play AFL football at my size, so I'm going to take it with both hands."

Well young man, Sunday will be your first real chance to grasp it so show us what you have got!

 

[tigerwill]

He won't get a game unless someone gets injured but will most likely be elevated. Once he packs on 10kg atleast he might be a chance. Looking at him though he could be one of those kids that just can't put on weight no matter what they do/eat.

Good luck to him though.

He can be elevated after R11 (?) regardless if anyone is injured. Hope he goes well, good luck mate

 

[sante]

He can play against Freo, no worries. Is he a pure FP specialist or can he play up the ground? How many of the specialist FP's actually have good careers? Sampi? Hooper? Betts?

 

[Toadvine]

He can play midifield its just his size doesn't lend him to it.
He averaged 22 possessions a game in the in his junior days.

 

[RichosGuns]

If you ask me the 176cm is too high, and 67kg is too low. I doubt these are his real measurements

I think he will be in Richmonds best 22 come the end of 09

 

[telsor]

He won't get a game unless someone gets injured but will most likely be elevated. Once he packs on 10kg atleast he might be a chance. Looking at him though he could be one of those kids that just can't put on weight no matter what they do/eat.

Good luck to him though.

Isn't Pettifer still out with his knee injury?

As for putting on 10kg, I don't think so. Adding that weight would slow him down, taking away from his strength (speed).

As for him being a specialist FP...Considering how often we get cut up by them, it's a good thing to have, and he's supposed to have a fairly strong defensive side to his game as well, which will help.

 

[Top_4_Tiger]

Has really strong hands too, took a great pressured contested mark at the intra-club game.

Has all the ingredients of a great FP.

 

[Barnzy123]

If you ask me the 176cm is too high, and 67kg is too low. I doubt these are his real measurements

I think he will be in Richmonds best 22 come the end of 09

On some sites he's reported as 174 some 176 but his weight is correct. His height is not the concerning thing it's his weight and his 21 years old which begs the question why is he still skinny after being in VFL level for so long? Bateman is a very good midfield player for Hawthorn and he's actually smaller then Nahas but he is 78kg, Eddie Betts 173cm / 75kg while Matt Campbell gives him hope at 174cm / 69kg.

Isn't Pettifer still out with his knee injury?

As for putting on 10kg, I don't think so. Adding that weight would slow him down, taking away from his strength (speed).

As for him being a specialist FP...Considering how often we get cut up by them, it's a good thing to have, and he's supposed to have a fairly strong defensive side to his game as well, which will help.

Yes Petts is still out but he hasn't been a regular in our side for awhile and I don't see who Nahas will replace in our team at the moment although we do need a good defensive foward. You'll find actually he will be fitter and keep his speed as he puts he tones up and turns the baby fat into muscle.

Jumping from VFL to AFL level is a big step and the bodies get much bigger so his defensive side to his game will be limited till he puts on some muscle else his tackles won't even stick and they will just rag doll him off. To them it would be like chucking their 8 year old younger brother off their back who wants to go for a piggy back ride.

 

[jackson_rules]

He can play against Freo, no worries. Is he a pure FP specialist or can he play up the ground? How many of the specialist FP's actually have good careers? Sampi? Hooper? Betts?

would you like someone to come around to your house and read the article to you?

 

[CJH]

Aaron Davey is listed at 177cm and 72kg's and is 25 years old - time enough to pack on some extra muscle. He is the prototype for the modern forward pocket and it seems Nahas has the goods to follow this lead.

Interesting both came to prominence as a small forward at Port Melbourne.

 

[Tigersman]

Looked good tonight.

Didnt get a lot of it but his goal was great and he attacked the footy.

No doubt there is something to work with there.

 

[boodsyboy]

Yep I liked what I saw from Nahas tonight think he might just make it.

 

[krustyman]

doubt he will make it, lacks the x-factor for his size.

 

[RichosGuns]

doubt he will make it, lacks the x-factor for his size.

Thats a bit negative. On smaller grounds like the Telstra Dome his tackling and ability to get the front of more contests will become more important

 

[YellowandBlackBlood]

doubt he will make it, lacks the x-factor for his size.

And you can make that statement already?

That snap was pure class. Chased down a few Freo players as well. With a few games under his belt he will be more than useful.