RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has labelled iconic ruckman Ivan Maric a "star", after a career-best 46 hit-outs from the former Crow led the Tigers to a 37-point victory at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
Maric has become a cult figure since joining the Tigers at the end of 2011, largely due to his flowing mullet. But hairstyle aside, Maric was brilliant in terrible conditions, managing five clearances, three inside 50's and 20 disposals to go with his tremendous effort in the ruck.
"He's been a star," Hardwick said.
"He's been a high-calibre person, what he's delivering on the field is high calibre also.
"He's been a very good player for us."
Hardwick said the 200cm giant was settling nicely into life as a Tiger, but he isn't a fan of Maric's mullet.
"He's a guy who's starting to understand our system, what's required of him, he gets the ball from A to B and he's been a real plus for us this year," he said.
"He's still got some areas of his game that he can work on, mainly his hair."
Hardwick admitted Sunday's game was "ugly", but maintained it was an encouraging performance from the Tigers after two consecutive 10-point losses.
"I've said previously our performance up to this stage was OK, without quite getting the four points, but to come over here and beat Port on their home deck by 37 points; it's not easy travelling," he said.
"It's certainly a win we'll take stock of and move on."
After taking a 41-point lead into half-time, Richmond were outscored by the Power in the third term and the deficit was reduced to 24 by the final change. But the Tigers held firm and managed a four-goals-to-two final quarter to seal the win.
Hardwick said Richmond's on-field leaders stood up to Port's comeback, especially skipper Chris Newman.
"It's quite easy for the coach to get up there and talk through things, but Chris has got, and his leaders in general, have got this hunger to succeed," Hardwick said.
"They've been down for a long time and Chris has been part of that.
"We want bigger and better things and I think they're now beginning to understand that the honourable losses are now no more."
Newman looked to have injured his shin in a marking contest in the second quarter on Sunday, but it was ruckman Tyrone Vickery who was eventually subbed out of the game with a corked buttock.
Hardwick was optimistic though that both would be fit to face the Swans next weekend.
Harry Thring covers news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry
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