Ben Nason
| Ben Nason | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Ben Nason | ||
| Date of birth | 3 June 1989 | ||
| Original team(s) | Central District (SANFL) | ||
| Draft | 71st overall, 2009 Draft | ||
| Height/Weight | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in) / 73 kg | ||
| Position(s) | Forward, midfielder | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2010–2011 | Richmond | 23 (17) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2011 season. | |||
Ben Nason (born 3 June 1989) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Early life
Nason played under-17 and under-19 football for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL),[1][2] but after being overlooked in the 2007 and 2008 AFL Drafts, Nason moved to fellow SANFL club, Central District for the 2009 season,[1] in an attempt to further his career. While playing for Central District, Nason also worked full-time with a fibreglass company.[2] He played the majority of the year in Central's reserves team, although he did play two games in the senior team, kicking a goal in his first game.[1] He finished 2009 having played 19 reserves games for a return of 29 goals,[1] and was named as an emergency in Central's SANFL Grand Final team.[1] Nason caught the eye of AFL recruiters when he was one of the best players in a practice match between South Australia's under-20 side and their under-18s team.[2][3] He also recorded 14.2 on the beep test at the AFL Draft Camp.[1]
AFL career
Draft
After his 2009 season, Nason was the subject of interest for the 2009 AFL Draft. Geelong, Port Adelaide, Fremantle and Richmond all showed interest in him,[2] but Nason was not confident and "didn't think [he] would be drafted".[3] Richmond ended up taking the slightly built youngster with the 71st selection in the draft.[3]
2010: Debut season
Nason played in Richmond's first pre-season match, against Hawthorn on 13 February, but suffered an injury, which caused him to be taken off the ground on a stretcher and a serious knee injury was feared.[2][4] However, the diagnosis proved to be hyper-extension and bone bruising,[4] which only resulted in Nason missing two weeks and he played Richmond's remaining two pre-season matches.[2]
Nason made his AFL debut against Carlton in round 1,[2] although he had not expected to make his debut so soon. He had 10 disposals and kicked a goal in an impressive performance. Nason has played every game for the Tigers in season 2010 and was noted as one of Richmond's many exciting, young players. In a round 8 match against Hawthorn, Hawks captain Sam Mitchell was fined $900 for pulling Nason's hair.[3] He became a cult figure at Richmond, well known for his blond dreadlocks.[3]
He was delisted at the conclusion of the 2011 season, aged 22.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ben Nason". Richmond Football Club. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Quayle, Emma (9 May 2010). "Tiger growing in stature". The Age. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Conn, Malcolm (4 June 2010). "Ben Nason mirrors Richmond's new breed who like its wicked song". The Australian. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
- 1 2 Cullen, Mic (24 February 2010). "Nason's mixed emotions". Official AFL Website of the Richmond Football Club. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
External links
- Ben Nason's profile on the official website of the Richmond Football Club
- Ben Nason's statistics from AFL Tables