When Corey Nankervis finally shifted to North Launceston in the shadows of his AFL-bound brother, he was handed Toby’s revered number-20 guernsey.
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He never asked for it. Nor was there any significance behind it.
“I just got given the number, so it was kinda passed down,” Nankervis said.
“It certainly didn’t really phase me either way. I never care what numbers I wear – it doesn’t mean much to me.”
The two brothers never crossed paths since the 2014 recruit from George Town joined North Launceston when the new Sydney Swans draftee left at the end of 2013.
For the elder Nankervis sibling, he just wanted to make his own name despite the inevitable comparisons.
But the surname is where it ended.
“We’re totally different players,” Nankervis said of his brother, who’s playing back-up to Callum Sinclair and Kurt Tippett at Sydney.
“He’s got a fair bit of height and size on me, and we play different roles in a team and different positions on the ground. So, really there’s not much comparison.”
Rather than stand – like his brother – at two metres tall in the ruck, the endearing 23-year-old’s happy to play undersized defender.
The 185cm Nankervis could stand on the last line of defence at full back one week, and sliding off the half-back flank the next.
“Each week, I try to play my role for the team,” he said.
“But I am given a different role each week on the best forwards in the competition.
“I just try and compete, and nullify their influence as much as I can.”
The latest challenge was manning TSL leading goalkicker Sonny Whiting against Launceston on Saturday.
“He’s a pretty good player, Sonny, and a dangerous forward, so you have to be on your game,” Nankervis said.
Helping limit the Blues to six goals in a 51-point victory at Windsor Park earned Nankervis three votes in the TSL Player of the Year Award.
That sort of form should remind selectors ahead of deciding the final cut for when Tasmania faces Western Australia on June 11.
Northern Bombers coach Zane Littlejohn is one who can’t speak highly enough of Nankervis.
It is little wonder why he was keen to replace one Nankervis for another.
For the backman whose continually growing in stature, the feeling’s mutual.
“I’m just really enjoying playing for North and playing with my mates,” he said.
“I really enjoy the environment and the culture they’ve got going there at the moment.”