IN RICHMOND'S 31-point win over the Brisbane Lions last week at the Gabba, it was Dustin Martin who stole the show.

Martin's five goals - several were brilliant - turned the game the Tigers' way and led to another chorus of support for the dynamic midfielder (who turns 20 on Sunday) and his quick transition from junior football to the elite of the AFL.

But just as critical were the efforts of two other young Tigers, forward/ruckman Tyrone Vickery and 21-year-old defender Alex Rance, the pair quietly getting better with every game.

Neither made the immediate impact Martin did, but the duo's improvement in 2011 has been crucial to the club's rise up the ladder.

Against the Brisbane Lions, Vickery kicked four goals (to take his season tally to 22) and Rance held Lions captain Jonathan Brown to only two goals and little influence.

Rance is in his fourth season at the club and Vickery his third, but Rance said becoming more familiar with the demands of playing at AFL level had been important in their development. 

"I think that has a lot to do with it, but I don't think we can take anything away from the coaching staff," he said. "They've been fantastic this year, giving us the confidence to play at the highest level and backing us in."

For Rance, selected with pick 18 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, and Vickery, pick eight in 2008, it has been a gradual process of learning their craft.

"I'm starting to get a lot better understanding and knowledge as to what's required of me and what my role is in the side," Rance said.

"'Leppa' (backline coach Justin Leppitsch) has been really good with me, helping me with a lot of my body stuff and the technical side of things, so I've improved a lot this year."

Where Leppitsch has helped Rance with his aggression and body positioning, Tigers forwards coach Danny Daly said the more permanent move of Vickery into attack had been the impetus behind the 21-year-old's form.

"His first couple of years he was a ruckman and a forward, and he never really got settled in one position," Daly said.

"But [coach] Damien [Hardwick] and myself thought in the pre-season that it was a good idea to settle him down as a forward and really learn the art of the forward line.

"We spent a lot of time working on his motion patterns and bag jumping, and also added some muscle and agility. It's really starting to come
to fruition."