Key Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric responded superbly to the gauntlet being thrown down to him during the quarter-time break of yesterday’s clash with the Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium.

Maric, who lowered his colors to experienced ruck counterpart Dean Brogan in the opening term, was the architect of the Tigers’ brilliant second-quarter blitz, which netted them 11.5 to the Giants’ solitary point.

The Tiger cult hero dominated the all-important centre-bounce duels, repeatedly taking possession of the ball himself, rather than tapping it to teammates, and driving it inside 50.

He had eight of his 17 disposals in that second quarter and finished the match with five inside-50 entries, an equal-team high four clearances, six marks and two goals, to be one of the best afield.

“I thought Ivan, in that quarter (the second) was outstanding,” said Richmond coach Damien Hardwick.

“We probably challenged Ivan a little bit after quarter-time because we thought Brogan had the better of him in the first quarter.

“But then, after that, he was outstanding.

“He had four or five clearances that quarter himself, which certainly got the ball in our forward half.  So he was instrumental in that period of play.”