[10][3][6] Naish spent significant additional time around the club in his junior years, completing weights training and receiving coaching due to his father–son rule draft eligibility.

[24] 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.

[25][26][27] He showed considerable defensive progress in early July, taking seven marks and contributing 21 disposals in a VFL match against Essendon.

[29][30][31] Though he could not earn final AFL team selection, Naish continued his impressive VFL form that weekend, collecting 26 disposals in a win over Werribee.

[33] After finishing the VFL season as minor premiers, Richmond's reserves side lined up a home qualifying final against Williamstown.

[35] 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.

[36] 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.

[37][38] 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.

[44] 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.

[60][61] Naish kicked one more goal in the Richmond VFL side that defeated Williamstown the following week, as the club won its first reserves grade premiership since 1997.

[76][77][78] After three more scratch matches at reserves level including a three-goal haul against St Kilda, Naish moved with the main playing group when the club was relocated to the Gold Coast in response to a virus outbreak in Melbourne.

[97][98][51] Naish was elevated to the starting 22 for round 9, and was listed by AFL Media as one of Richmond's best players after recording 15 disposals in that come-from-behind win over Greater Western Sydney.

[51][101][102] Naish returned to fitness through the VFL in June, before being recalled to the senior side for a round 16 match against the Gold Coast.

[108][109] In March 2022, Naish signed with West Coast as part of the supplemental selection period, after unsuccessfully training for a list spot at St Kilda.

[112] His offensive game is advanced, with Naish described by Richmond's VFL coaches in 2019 as having elite ball-use skills, but still developing his ability to win contested possession and to play defensively.