Ivan Soldo is thriving on the responsibility as Richmond’s No. 1 ruckman in the absence of Toby Nankervis.
Soldo did an admirable job in the role for three months while Nankervis was sidelined with a groin injury, and then was unlucky to be omitted from the line-up, with the Tigers’ premiership ruckman making his comeback in the Round 21 match against Carlton.
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He returned to the VFL, performed well again, and found himself back at senior level against West Coast last Sunday when Nankervis pulled up sore.
And, after a slow start to the blockbuster match, he ended up responding extremely well to the big challenge, controlling the hit-outs for Richmond.
Soldo finished the match with a season-high 40 hit-outs, to go with his 12 disposals, eight contested possessions, six clearances and a crucial goal.
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His ability to win hit-outs and give the Tiger midfielders first use is a major positive for the team.
He’s also becoming more influential around the ground, and is even managing to hit the scoreboard, too (five goals in his 10 games this season).
