Young Richmond defender Jake Batchelor is starting to feel more comfortable in the pressure-cooker environment of AFL football.

The Tigers’ second selection in the 2010 AFL National Draft made his 31^st appearance at the game’s highest level in last Thursday night’s opening round match against Carlton at the MCG, and was one of the team’s best.

He repelled a number of dangerous opposition attacking thrusts through intercept marking, which is a real feature of his game, and was proficient with his disposal out of defence.

“It took me a while to think I was good enough to play at the level, but I guess that changed once I started getting a few games under my belt,” Batchelor said on RSN.

“Consistency’s the main thing for me, so I’ll continue to work on that.”

And, he’ll keep honing his disposal skills with the Club’s new development coach, Mark Williams.

“Since “Choc” Williams has come over, I worked with him a fair bit on my kicking, basically – the ball drop and all that kind of stuff.

“He’s worked really well with me and it’s something I’m still trying to implement in my game.”