Respected Richmond veteran Chris Newman is predicting big things from talented Tiger tall forwards Ty Vickery and Ben Griffiths this season.

Newman believes both Vickery and Griffiths can take the game by the scruff of the neck in 2015, following solid pre-season preparations.

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“Ty’s been training really well,” Newman told 5AA.

“He is a huge presence down there (in the forward line) . . . really hard to stop when he gets a good stretch at the ball because he’s a ruckman size, but plays as a ‘small’ when the ball’s on the ground.

“He’s really come out of his shell a little bit more this pre-season.  He’s quite boisterous for Ty, which is good.

“I think he’s relishing every opportunity he gets and we’re really looking forward to him having a good season.”

Newman also expressed his faith in Ben Griffiths’ ability to build on the impressive gains he made during the second half of last season.

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“I don’t think he’s ever felt as good in himself as what he has this pre-season,” Newman said.

“He’s getting a lot more confident. 

“I think early on he sort of struggled with getting strength back in his shoulders . . . that’s something he’s focused on over the past couple of years and he’s really confident in that now. 

“He’s a really strong mark, a huge kick, and he moves really well.”