Naismith becomes a Tiger

Sam Naismith played for Sydney in the 2016 grand final. He will join a former teammate in Toby nankervis at Richmond. Photo: News Corp Australia

GUNNEDAH product Sam Naismith has landed at a second AFL club.

Naismith, 31, joins Richmond following a consistent 2023 season with Port Melbourne in the VFL.

Prior to spending last season at Port Melbourne, Naismith played 30 games for the Sydney Swans between 2013 and 2022, after originally being selected via the rookie draft at the end of 2012.

The 205cm ruckman’s time at the Swans included playing in the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

Naismith said the second chance at an AFL club “means everything”.

“I’m super excited. It was an opportunity that I didn’t think was going to happen, and I think my last five years of working really hard to get back to this position is paying off now,” he said.

“Everyone that has supported me over the last few years, it’s been pretty tough times through that journey and this just validates everything that I’ve worked hard for during that time.”