Toby Nankervis is “desperate”.

That’s the word the Richmond captain used when talking about getting back to finals football before the end of his career, as the Tigers get set to embark on their 2026 journey.

While it’s no secret coach Adem Yze is leading the Club through an exciting new era with a strong influx of youth, Nankervis isn’t putting a limit on what Richmond can achieve in 2026.

“I’ve watched a bit of the finals the last few years. I'm so desperate to have another crack at it,” Nankervis said on SEN.

“The intensity of the game, the crowds, the buzz around Melbourne is so special at that time of year. I'd love another taste at it.

“I want to win every game I'm playing, and I want to compete as best we can.

“Last year, we couldn't match it with the best sides for long enough. That'll be our goal this year, to play more consistent footy and get our system better and better every game, and be able to match it with the best sides in the comp. That'll put us in good stead.”

The captain’s mindset follows that of the coach, who recently said he is putting no ceilings on the 2026 campaign.

Nankervis added the Tigers’ impressive crop of youngsters are just as eager to taste success sooner rather than later.

“The young guys that come in now are in such a rush. They're not patient. They don't want to bide their time. They want to play straight away,” he said.

“They train really hard, they prepare unbelievably well, so professional in the way they come in, and I can't believe how far along they are in terms of their professionalism at such a young age, compared to when I came through.

“We've had some great young additions come on board through the draft the last couple of years, and I can't wait to see what careers they can have.”

As the youngsters garner plenty of excitement at the Swinburne Centre, the premiership heroes still have a major role to play in not only mentoring the new brigade but also making an impact on the field.

Two veterans Nankervis has been impressed with this pre-season are key forward Tom Lynch and midfielder Dion Prestia.

“Lynchy played last Friday in the scratch match that got cut a bit short, but his contested marking, the way he's attacking the ball…he's back to some really great form in the air,” Nankervis said.

“Dion…he's our most consistent, he's like a coach on-field, Dion. Whenever he plays, we're definitely a better team for it.

“The older boys, we're still hungry to get out there and mix it with these young boys and see where we can help develop and fast-track where we can.”

An adjustment that all ruckmen will need to make in 2026 is how to navigate the AFL’s new ruck rules.

At all centre ball-ups, competing rucks will now be unable to cross the centre line before engaging with their opposition ruck. In a further change, umpires can now restart play without a nominated ruck being present.

“It's been interesting. I'm really excited for the challenge to really grasp this rule and see what advantages I can take from it,” Nankervis said.

“I'm gonna have to learn and evolve, along with a lot of other rucks in the competition.

“I need to get better at the rule, and I'm really excited to see what I can do and really take myself probably out of my comfort zone in a lot of ways to really match it with some of the more athletic guys.”

Richmond’s season begins next Thursday night against Carlton at the MCG.