Tigers stalwart has no regrets about keeping the faith

The Advertiser

2 days ago

If things had gone differently late last year, Nathan Broad could easily have been lining up against Richmond on Sunday.
The triple-premiership defender was almost swayed by an offer from North Melbourne.
But while Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham left the battling Tigers, Broad stuck fat with the club that gave him a chance as a mature-aged recruit in 2015.
"It was a no-brainer at the end of the day," Broad told AAP.
"This club showed faith in me, and I've returned the faith.
"Now I'm just going to try and leave a legacy with this footy club and (leave it) in a better place than when I got here.
"I think we're on the right path. Our leaders are doing a great job but our kids are really eager to learn. So it's a really good environment at the moment and I'm loving it.
Now 32, Broad is relishing teaching the youngsters around him, hoping to help Richmond rise back up the ladder quickly.
"When you're winning and you're on top and you're winning premierships, it's easier to be a leader," he said.
"But when you're really challenged and things get tough, you find out more about yourself.
"This footy club's really done an amazing job, really leaning into getting better, and we're not making excuses.
"We want to win games of footy and we're on the right track."
The Tigers (5-16) fell short by four points against St Kilda last week but are desperate to make amends against the Kangaroos (4-1-16) in Hobart on Sunday.
"We're growing. We have five wins, five more than anyone thought we would. Unfortunately, (the Saints game) was one that probably slipped away," Broad said.
"But if we win next week, and then finish off the year strong, it's going to be very exciting for the next few years.
"It is important, winning, and you've got to find ways to win too.
"The more we can win, the kids learn how to win. Sometimes you get caught in the rut of losing.
"So the more we can just put our kids in these scenarios where they're in the game towards the end, it's just a valuable lesson."
Broad also hopes a personal accolade can come for long-time defensive teammate Nick Vlastuin, who has starred down back this season with a league high 164 intercept possessions.
"If he doesn't get an All-Australian blazer, well, jeez, I don't know what else he needs to do," Broad said.
"He's top of intercepts for the whole comp, he just stands up every single week and his form's been unbelievable.
"He's been stiff not to have one before, but I really, really do hope they give him one this year because he deserves it.
"He's been an absolute star of the competition in general."
If things had gone differently late last year, Nathan Broad could easily have been lining up against Richmond on Sunday.
The triple-premiership defender was almost swayed by an offer from North Melbourne.
But while Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham left the battling Tigers, Broad stuck fat with the club that gave him a chance as a mature-aged recruit in 2015.
"It was a no-brainer at the end of the day," Broad told AAP.
"This club showed faith in me, and I've returned the faith.
"Now I'm just going to try and leave a legacy with this footy club and (leave it) in a better place than when I got here.
"I think we're on the right path. Our leaders are doing a great job but our kids are really eager to learn. So it's a really good environment at the moment and I'm loving it.
Now 32, Broad is relishing teaching the youngsters around him, hoping to help Richmond rise back up the ladder quickly.
"When you're winning and you're on top and you're winning premierships, it's easier to be a leader," he said.
"But when you're really challenged and things get tough, you find out more about yourself.
"This footy club's really done an amazing job, really leaning into getting better, and we're not making excuses.
"We want to win games of footy and we're on the right track."
The Tigers (5-16) fell short by four points against St Kilda last week but are desperate to make amends against the Kangaroos (4-1-16) in Hobart on Sunday.
"We're growing. We have five wins, five more than anyone thought we would. Unfortunately, (the Saints game) was one that probably slipped away," Broad said.
"But if we win next week, and then finish off the year strong, it's going to be very exciting for the next few years.
"It is important, winning, and you've got to find ways to win too.
"The more we can win, the kids learn how to win. Sometimes you get caught in the rut of losing.
"So the more we can just put our kids in these scenarios where they're in the game towards the end, it's just a valuable lesson."
Broad also hopes a personal accolade can come for long-time defensive teammate Nick Vlastuin, who has starred down back this season with a league high 164 intercept possessions.
"If he doesn't get an All-Australian blazer, well, jeez, I don't know what else he needs to do," Broad said.
"He's top of intercepts for the whole comp, he just stands up every single week and his form's been unbelievable.
"He's been stiff not to have one before, but I really, really do hope they give him one this year because he deserves it.
"He's been an absolute star of the competition in general."
If things had gone differently late last year, Nathan Broad could easily have been lining up against Richmond on Sunday.
The triple-premiership defender was almost swayed by an offer from North Melbourne.
But while Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham left the battling Tigers, Broad stuck fat with the club that gave him a chance as a mature-aged recruit in 2015.
"It was a no-brainer at the end of the day," Broad told AAP.
"This club showed faith in me, and I've returned the faith.
"Now I'm just going to try and leave a legacy with this footy club and (leave it) in a better place than when I got here.
"I think we're on the right path. Our leaders are doing a great job but our kids are really eager to learn. So it's a really good environment at the moment and I'm loving it.
Now 32, Broad is relishing teaching the youngsters around him, hoping to help Richmond rise back up the ladder quickly.
"When you're winning and you're on top and you're winning premierships, it's easier to be a leader," he said.
"But when you're really challenged and things get tough, you find out more about yourself.
"This footy club's really done an amazing job, really leaning into getting better, and we're not making excuses.
"We want to win games of footy and we're on the right track."
The Tigers (5-16) fell short by four points against St Kilda last week but are desperate to make amends against the Kangaroos (4-1-16) in Hobart on Sunday.
"We're growing. We have five wins, five more than anyone thought we would. Unfortunately, (the Saints game) was one that probably slipped away," Broad said.
"But if we win next week, and then finish off the year strong, it's going to be very exciting for the next few years.
"It is important, winning, and you've got to find ways to win too.
"The more we can win, the kids learn how to win. Sometimes you get caught in the rut of losing.
"So the more we can just put our kids in these scenarios where they're in the game towards the end, it's just a valuable lesson."
Broad also hopes a personal accolade can come for long-time defensive teammate Nick Vlastuin, who has starred down back this season with a league high 164 intercept possessions.
"If he doesn't get an All-Australian blazer, well, jeez, I don't know what else he needs to do," Broad said.
"He's top of intercepts for the whole comp, he just stands up every single week and his form's been unbelievable.
"He's been stiff not to have one before, but I really, really do hope they give him one this year because he deserves it.
"He's been an absolute star of the competition in general."