Vickery stands tall
Ty Vickery’s short AFL career so far, has been about sink or swim moments.
Ty Vickery’s short AFL career so far, has been about sink or swim moments.
Shortly after arriving at Richmond at the end of 2008, the teenage draftee was thrown into the ruck - a position usually reserved for seasoned, battle-hardened big men.
It was a challenge he relished, and one which he knew would fast-track his development.
Two years on, Vickery was thrown into the deep end again - this time as an almost-permanent tall forward option alongside Jack Riewoldt.
Again, he embraced the challenge, and the result was a breakout season. He played every game, kicked 36 goals, averaged four marks per match and had the look of a genuine match-winner.
As he addressed the 1500-strong crowd at Richmond’s Jack Dyer Medal presentation night, after finishing fifth in the Club’s Best and Fairest, the 21-year-old reflected on the importance of the move to the forward line.
“The Club and the coaching staff have shown a lot of faith in me, and that really gave me a lot of confidence to make the improvements I did this year,” he said.
“It was all turned upside down when I was told I’d be playing forward. I almost had to learn a new craft, and it was a long road.
“I had to spend a long time with Danny Daly (Richmond’s forwards coach) looking at video tapes, but it has paid off with a lot of patience and hard work.
“I didn’t have a lot of confidence when I was told to go forward, but it’s been the best move in my short career, and I couldn’t be happier with the support I got from the coaches and the players.”
Vickery’s rise in confidence was kick-started at an unlikely venue - Traeger Park in Alice Springs.
On a muggy February evening during the NAB Challenge, the young Tiger stole the show, booting five goals up forward in Riewoldt’s absence.
“I got a lot of confidence at the start of the year, in the NAB Cup,” he said.
“When the team got a lot of confidence, I was able to kick a few, and give off a few. I thought I was making some improvement and taking some pressure of Jack, which is what I needed to do.
“We all had to share the load, and I was happy to be one of the guys who helped him out.”
A further clear example of Vickery’s exceptional talent came at another interstate venue, Adelaide’s AAMI Stadium, in Round 23.
In a tight encounter against the Crows, he was taken to the interchange bench with what appeared to be a severe shoulder injury, but returned to finish with seven marks and four goals, including the match-sealer.
It had all the hallmarks of a player itching to make his mark on the competition, and eager to set a standard for the rest of the playing group.
“It’s something I aspire to do, to set a good example around the Club. Our leadership group is so young, and I certainly aspire to be seen as a leader at the Club,” he said.
“We can’t wait for the improvement to come, and to really build something that the fans can appreciate, and that they’ve been waiting for.”