Richmond defender Jake Batchelor is striving to add versatility to his game in the team’s back half.

Batchelor, who regained his place in the Tigers’ line-up a couple of weeks ago, has been working hard to improve his fitness levels, so that he’ll have scope to play on a variety of different opponents.

“I’ve been speaking to ‘Dimma’ (coach Damien Hardwick) about the ability to play on ‘talls’ and ‘smalls’.  I’ve got more confidence playing on talls, so it’s just (a matter of) working on that,” Batchelor said.

“It’s more off-field stuff as well – the pilates and yoga – just to get my body right to be able to play on the smaller-type forwards.”

Batchelor wants to ensure, however, that this focus on ground-level play, doesn’t detract from one of his major strengths, which is intercept marking.

“It’s something I like to do.  It’s a little bit easier if I’m playing on a key (forward) and then drop off and come and help out a ‘Rancey’ (Alex Rance) or a ‘Chappy’ (Troy Chaplin),” he said.

“That’s something, with confidence, I’ll keep going for more of, and then my game will build from there.”