Young defender Jake Batchelor will enter his third season with Richmond well placed to take the next step in his league career.

The Tigers’ second selection in the 2010 AFL National Draft has impressed with his composure and maturity across the backline during his first couple of years at the game’s highest level.

After a total of 30 senior appearances in 2011-12, and a solid pre-season over the past few months, he  feels he’s sufficiently prepared to start exerting more influence in Richmond’s line-up throughout 2013.

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“I think you start to find your feet a little bit.  You get more confidence in your body and in your own game,” Batchelor said on SEN.

“You realise what your strengths and your weaknesses are, and you work towards bettering both of them at the same time . . .

“The body’s feeling good, and it’s always good to get a full pre-season under your belt.”

Batchelor, who turned 21 earlier this month, also is looking forward to working in the back half alongside the Tigers’ mature-age recruits Troy Chaplin and Ricky Petterd.

“Ricky’s taken on a good role in the backline.  He’s been great back there, and ‘Chappy’ will take on a leadership role down there as well,” he said.

“You add a bit more experience to the backline, which gives you a little bit more confidence as well.”