Shaun Hampson proved a more than handy replacement for Richmond’s suspended No. 1 ruckman Ivan Maric in last Friday night’s win against his former club Carlton at the MCG.

Hampson, playing his first senior game for the season, won a game-high 34 hit-outs opposed to a quality opponent in Matthew Kreuzer , and finished with eight marks, which is the equal second most he’s taken in a match during his league career (his best being nine).

He admitted post-game it had been tough waiting for another senior opportunity.

“The coaches have been as good as they can be about it . . . They said I’m doing everything right and everything I can, I’ve just got to wait for my chance,” Hampson told SEN.  

“And, it finally came and it was against the old boys (Carlton) . . . it’s a great feeling. 

“I don’t know where to from here, but I’ll just keep doing everything I can.”

Hampson credited the Tigers’ experienced development coach Mark Williams with helping improve various aspects of his game.

“‘Choco’ (Mark Williams) has been really good for us taller players the last couple of months, he said.

“We’ve had sort of specialised Choco training, which isn’t always fun. 

“His extra work during the week is tough, but it’s really paying off for the bigger players like myself, ‘Vickers’ (Ty Vickery), ‘Griff’ (Ben Griffiths) as well.  We’ve got to keep sticking with it.”

The 201cm, 27-year-old feels he’s in the best shape physically of his league career following a huge pre-season at Tigerland.

“The body’s good.  I had a little cleanout on the knee two weeks ago because that was causing me a bit of trouble,” Hampson said.

“It freed it up even more and I’m moving really freely out there.”