In the ninth of a richmondfc.com.au post-season special series, focusing on 14 findings from Richmond’s 2014 season, we evaluate Ivan Maric’s value to the team.


No. 9:  Ivan Maric had a profound impact for Richmond during the second half of the season.

Maric’s absence for almost the entire first half of the season, while recovering from ankle surgery, hurt the Tigers big time.  Conversely, however, his return clearly was a significant factor behind the team’s dramatic revival.

In the 14 games Maric played, he averaged 14.4 disposals and 25.4 hit-outs, which are more than handy numbers for an AFL ruckman.

Bid on 2014 Richmond signed match-worn guernseys, including Ivan Maric’s

But, as Tiger great Matthew Richardson pointed out in his weekly column on the Club’s website late in the season:  “Raw numbers alone, however, don’t do justice to the mighty impact Maric has in this Richmond side.  Maric’s warrior-like attitude makes him such an important player for the Tigers.  His mere presence in the line-up clearly lifts those around him . . .”

There’s no doubt that the Richmond players walk a bit taller when Maric is constantly putting his big body on the line for the Yellow and Black cause, as he did upon his return to the side in 2014.

The 28-year-old exerted a huge influence at centre bounces, stoppages, and through his general grunt work around the ground.

He positively thrived on the awesome challenge of taking on younger, more athletic ruckmen such as West Coast’s Nick Natanui and Essendon’s Paddy Ryder – and more than held his own against them.

Off-field, Maric is intelligent, measured, and totally straightforward in the way he goes about his business.

On-field, he is fiercely determined, committed, and gallant, as he strives to do whatever he can to help lift the Tigers over the line.

Maric is widely regarded as the spiritual leader among Richmond’s playing group because of his capacity to inspire teammates through his brave on-field deeds and wise, off-field, homespun philosophies.

His overall importance at Tigerland is undeniably huge.