Young Richmond defender Matt Dea is determined to build on his solid finish to the 2011 season and have a significant impact at the game’s highest level in 2012.

Dea, 20, overcame his injury woes to play four of the last five games of the season with Richmond, and he’s impressed throughout the pre-season with his strong work ethic.

“I haven’t missed a session, which is very promising and I think the body is starting to adapt, which is what I need,” Dea told the “Sunraysia Daily” during the Tigers’ two-day Community Camp in Mildura.

“It’s made me aware of what I need to work on, body-wise, and football-wise, without a doubt. “It might be a bit of a blessing in disguise.”

Dea, who was taken by Richmond with pick 44 overall in the 2009 AFL National Draft, played three AFL games in his 2010 debut year, before suffering a season-ending broken foot.

He was then sidelined for much of 2011 with shin splints, before returning to senior action in the last month of the season as a replacement for injured skipper Chris Newman, and demonstrating his ability as a lock-down defender.

The former Mildura junior subsequently received a two-year contract extension from the Tigers, and he’s super-keen to repay the Club’s faith in him.

“It’s getting pretty competitive for spots at the moment, but obviously my ultimate goal is to be playing senior footy,” he said.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has high hopes for Dea in 2012 and said that he would be given every opportunity to cement a place in the team’s backline . . .
“It’s a big year coming up for him,” Hardwick said.

“He’s certainly a good character and is going about things the right way.”

The Tiger coaches have been working with Dea to improve the offensive side of his game. 
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