to his slender frame. Naish's first matches at Richmond were played with the club's reserves side in the VFL where he immediately impressed with his kicking skills. While lauded for his offensive abilities, VFL head coach Craig McRae demanded Naish develop his defensive capabilities by playing primarily in a half back role at that level. He showed considerable defensive progress in early July, taking seven marks and contributing 21 disposals in a VFL match against . Naish backed that up with a goal and 26 disposals the following week and a further 32 disposals the next match after that, earning selection as an AFL-level emergency in round 19. Though he could not earn final AFL team selection, Naish continued his impressive VFL form that weekend, collecting 26 disposals in a win over . He was again an AFL emergency in round 20 and again went unselected, but saw his VFL form drop off in early August. After finishing the VFL season as minor premiers, Richmond's reserves side lined up a home qualifying final against Williamstown. After a loss in that match, Richmond's reserves side suffered a knock-out loss the following week which saw the team and Naish's season come to a close. Naish finished 2018 having failed to earn an AFL debut and instead played 20 games and kicked six goals with the club's reserves side in the VFL. 2019 season After adding nearly eight kilograms of muscle in the off-season, Naish began 2019 again with the club's reserves side, earning immediate praise from VFL assistant coach Ryan Ferguson for his defensive improvements in early April. He was consistently among the club's best players at VFL level in the opening month of the season, regularly recording more than 25 disposals a game in his role at half-back and the wing. In early May he kicked four goals in a VFL win over , with Ferguson saying he was ready for an opportunity at AFL level. Continued strong performances with high disposal counts over the next month and a further two goals and 28 disposals in early June saw Naish in line for an AFL debut. He was at that time averaging 25.9 disposals per match in the VFL. After winger Brandon Ellis was ruled unfit to play due to a groin injury, Naish was called up to AFL level to make his debut in round 12 of the 2019 season.