Richmond ruckman Shaun Hampson believes he’s in career-best form right now, but is confident he has plenty more improvement left in him.
Hampson was recalled to the Tigers’ senior side a couple of weeks ago for his first appearance this season, when No. 1 ruckman Ivan Maric was sidelined due to a one-match suspension.
The 201cm, 27-year-old, who had been displaying impressive form at VFL level, has been a valuable contributor in Richmond’s past two wins, against his former team Carlton and St Kilda.
He received a vote in the AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year award for his 11-disposal, eight-mark, 34-hitout performance against the Blues, and followed up with 12 disposals, four marks and 24 hitouts in a solid effort against the Saints.
“I actually think this is the best footy I’ve probably played . . . it’s been a very consistent year in the VFL,” Hampson said.
“Being sort of new to the game when I was drafted, I think it was always going to take a little bit of time (to develop into a consistent performer). It’s maybe taken a little bit longer than I would have liked, but that’s just the way it is . . .
“I started playing footy when I was 16, so it was a bit of a different start for me, and there’s a lot to learn – skills, positioning, mental toughness as well.
“All those things are so important, especially for a position like the ruck, which is the last true one-on-one contest on the ground . . .
“I haven’t had a great run with injuries. I’ve had some pretty serious injuries that I’ve had to battle through and that hasn’t let me get the consistency in my footy.
“I think at times, in years past, I’ve had good patches of football, which have sometimes been interrupted by injuries.
“The last two years my body’s been really good and I’m just trying to look after it – ‘rehab’, ‘prehab’, all the stuff that they want you doing – and it’s been really good.
“I feel like I’m finally maturing, and I’m feeling strong . . .
“I know I’ve still got a lot more in me as well. It’s just about working hard at training. That’s the only way you’re going to get better.
“All I’ve got to focus on is contributing to the team, playing my role and, at the end of the day, that’s what’s going to keep me in the team.”
Hampson is keen to work on his ruck partnership with Maric, which he feels has the potential to prosper.
“We haven’t played together too much. I think there were maybe two games last year, and this (last Sunday v St Kilda) was the second game this year,” Hampson said.
“We’ve got to get that sort of team atmosphere, where he’s forward, I’m forward, we switch.
“It’s going to take time, but it’s getting there.
“We’ve got an opportunity where we can both play some good time in the ruck and both play a little bit of time forward, so we get to save our legs and hopefully work the ‘oppo’ ruckman over a bit.
“He’s (Maric) always dominant in the ruck when he’s in there and between us we do alright in the hit-outs, and hopefully have a bit of an impact forward as well. That’s the plan, anyway.”
In the short term, however, Hampson is focused on the huge challenge posed by Fremantle’s dominant ruck giant Aaron Sandilands at the MCG on Saturday.
“Obviously, he’s an unbelievable ruckman,” Hampson said.
“His size is something that’s hard to get around.
“I’ve played against him a few times before and know what works and what doesn’t work. So it’s just about trying to work him over.”
