Between a COVID-hit 2020 and the Tigers' season opener last Thursday, Toby Nankervis has spent little time reflecting on his AFL career to date.
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After playing in his third flag with Richmond last season, the 26-year-old George Town ruckman is one of Tasmania's most successful players this century.
His three flags put him in the same bracket as Alastair Lynch (three premierships with Brisbane) and now-Lion Grant Birchall (four premierships with Hawthorn), but the big Tiger's focus is locked towards the future.
"It hasn't really sunk in to be honest - it's not something I really think about," he said.
"Maybe at the end of my career or whatnot, but at the moment it turns around so quick.
"The moment you're happy with what you've done is the moment you start going backwards I think.
"The game's so demanding and the competition's so even that we quickly got back to what we do and trying to get better."
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An 83-gamer who began his career with Sydney, Nankervis is one of four ex-Northern Bombers playing AFL this season after Rhyan Mansell joined the Tigers through the supplementary selection period last month.
Nankervis said the 20-year-old, who played in a SANFL premiership last season, had earned his spot on the Tigers' list after being invited as a train-on player in January.
"He's been awesome, he's come in so well and worked really hard to get a spot on the list," Nankervis said.
"His attitude is amazing, he's such a hard-working young kid. He just wants to learn and I'm sure he'll be looking forward to playing some footy in Richmond colours at either level and I'm sure he'll do really well.
"He went through playing with a few of my mates and my brother [Corey] - it's amazing to see another kid from North Launny.
"Tarryn Thomas is also at North Melbourne and Chayce Jones from Launceston Football Club's at Adelaide, so it's good to see some young talent coming through and hopefully they can all do really well."
After an injury-interrupted 2020, Nankervis is fully fit and set to be the Tigers' leading big man with Ivan Soldo (ACL) unlikely to play this season.
He is contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2023 after signing a three-year deal days before last year's AFL Grand Final.
"I'm pretty stoked with the club to show that faith in me," he said.
"It's been an amazing place to be over the last four or five years and hopefully we can continue to play some good footy and I can contribute to the team.
"That's all I want to do every week, I'm very lucky to be at Richmond."
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