OK first off, sincere apologies for the headline; everyone loves a bit of James Brown though don’t they?
While there wasn’t too much to celebrate last week as a Richmond fan, one shining light was the performance by recently recruited pair Ivan and Addam Maric.
From just two appearances both players have already shown that they are going to bolster the club’s best 22 with their promising play so far in the NAB Cup.
Let’s start with Ivan.
There was a touch of hysteria around the trade period last year, with various supporters claiming that trading for a second string ruck was unnecessary and that giving up a second-round draft pick (No.37) was over the odds.
While it’s only still the pre-season I think it’s fair to say those fears have been erased. I’m calling it early but it just goes to show that some players will perform better in certain environments and Ivan seems to be one of those players.
Richmond has experimented over the past few years with young talls Angus Graham and Andrew Browne in the ruck, but unfortunately neither one could claim a firm grasp of that number one ruck role.
With an exciting midfield coming through the ranks it was time for the recruiting staff to go out and find a ruckman who could help get the most out of these guys, enter Ivan Maric.
The big mullet-wearing ruckman has a fantastic willingness for the contest and never-say-die attitude which he has already put on display in his limited time at Punt Road. Last week against for Fremantle for instance he took numerous marks in defence from opposition kicks, which is something we have lacked in recent times from our ruckmen.
The other Maric, Addam, couldn’t be more different to Ivan in regards to build and playing style, but he too has Tiger fans such as myself salivating at the prospect of having a smart, well-skilled and quick small forward for the first time since Nathan Brown retired.
Delisted by Melbourne, Maric was invited to train at Richmond during the off-season, the team he supported so passionately when he was a child. His hard work on the track was rewarded with pick seven in the rookie draft when Richmond selected him.
While he has always had the talent, consistency has been his main problem but so far at Tigerland he is two from two, putting in some exciting performances in both NAB Cup matches so far.
Against Fremantle he was the main catalyst for the second half fight back by the young Tiger cubs, directly assisting in three goals and kicking one himself with a clever snap around the body.
These two recruits just go to show that, while recruiting is still generally centred around the Under 18 competitions, there’s certainly benefits to be had from picking up a matured player with AFL experience who is right for the club.
This week against Geelong will be another good test for the 29 players selected, as no doubt the Cats have been the measuring stick of the competition for the past five years. With the Tigers fielding an almost full-strength side hopefully it will give a good indication of where the club is at with its pre-season as we draw ever closer to Round 1.
Go Tiges!
Follow me on Twitter @ Stuart_Wilson23
