Norrish played as a defensive midfielder and began his football career at the Claremont Tigers.
He represented WA in the State Schoolboys national championships before moving to Perth to attend Hale School.
[2] In 1990 he made his debut for Claremont and the following year played in the Tigers' premiership side.
He returned as an uncontracted player and Melbourne were able to select Don Cockatoo-Collins as compensation.
His reputation and standing amongst the team was recognised in 1999 when he was named as a vice-captain, a position he held through to the 2001 season.