| Ben Nason | |
| Fullname: | Ben Nason |
| Nickname: | Naso |
| Birth Date: | 1989 6, df=yes |
| Originalteam: | Central District (SANFL) |
| Draftpick: | 71st overall, 2009 draft |
| Height: | 179 cm |
| Weight: | 73 kg |
| Position: | Forward, midfielder |
| Statsend: | 2011 |
| Years1: | 2010 - 2011 |
| Club1: | Richmond |
| Games Goals1: | 23 (17) |
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).
Nason played under-17 and under-19 football for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).[1] 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. 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] He also recorded 14.2 on the beep test at the AFL Draft Camp.[1]
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]
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 nineteen games 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.