AFL Origin: Richmond defender Nathan Broad fired up for Toby Greene match-up, says WA players are ‘all-in’

WA defender Nathan Broad has declared there will be no “bruise-free” football as the Sandgropers prepare to go “all-in” to ensure this isn’t the last time AFL Origin is played. As he prepares for a crucial match-up against Toby Greene in Victoria’s forward line, Richmond’s three-time premiership backman said the players had a responsibility to ensure Origin would survive beyond this historic clash. “There’s risks every day at training, there’s risks in intra-club games — there’s risk at the end of the day, it’s a game of football,” Broad said ahead of WA training on Thursday. “We’re representing our state. No one going to take the foot off. “We have a responsibility. It’s been 28 years or something since (the last WA game of) Origin. (There’s) lots of commentary (on) players are going to take it easy and bruise-free football — but that’s not how we’re going about it. “If this is going to be a thing going forward it’s got to be all-in, and we’re all-in. We’ll see first bounce on Saturday.” Broad was one of the last members added to the WA squad and is excited to add another accolade to his accomplished career. The 32-year-old has carved out a incredible tenure at the Tigers after being recruited as a mature-age defender out of Swan Districts, playing in the 2017, 2019 and 2020 premierships at Punt Road. Broad is now a leader at a rebuilding Richmond under coach Adem Yze and for him, the historic clash could be the last blockbuster bouts of his career. “I was extremely honoured and extremely grateful to get the call-up. I never got to represent WA in the under-18s, I was in the squad but never got the call-up so to be able to do it now is something I am extremely grateful for,” he said. “I never thought I’d play as many AFL games as I have let alone win a premiership, and to do this now where my career is at, I’m not getting any younger so this is something that I’ll cherish and is awesome to have on my resume. “For the WA boys we get our family and friends to come and watch. And they’re super stoked, so it’s a proud moment to represent my family and the state.” Broad said he had enjoyed being around the squad to tap into the pride and importance of wearing the black and gold. “We’ve had (chairman of selectors) Glen Jakovich and a couple of guest speakers in (Ross) Glendinning who came in and spoke about Origin, what it meant to them and what it meant to the state,” he said. “We did a bit of stuff internally about what it means to us... we’re trying to lean into the state and what connects us back home. “The messaging last night from a couple of our guest speakers about how it was back in the day. I’m not sure we could play that way, we might get (suspended for) a few weeks.” On the field, Broad flagged he was set for a tough contest against Greater Western Sydney forward Toby Greene when the two teams lined up. One player Broad isn’t putting his hand up to tackle is rising Western Bulldogs gun Sam Darcy. “Toby Greene and I have gone at it for a long time now, for 10 years or so,” he said. “I am glad I got Sammy Taylor and (Tom) Barrass, some big key backs there so it would be one of them (to take on Darcy) I would’ve thought. “Rory Lobb is down there as well, he’s been playing on him in intra-club matches, so I’ll leave it up to one of them.”