Although talented ‘tall’, Ben Griffiths, won Richmond’s Most Improved Player award at this week’s 2014 Jack Dyer Medal presentation night, his coach, Damien Hardwick, is genuinely excited about the scope he has for further significant development in his AFL career.

Griffiths was chosen as the Tigers’ most improved player this year on the back of some eye-catching cameo performances, particularly late-season, in his role up forward and providing ruck back-up for Ivan Maric.

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He was ranked No. 1 at Richmond in season 2014 for contested marks per game (and 18th in the competition overall), and also was damaging with his trademark long kicking.

“Ben Griffiths showed some significant improvement, and I think it’s scary . . . If he gets the consistency that we think he can, he’s going to be a very good player,” Hardwick told Tiger great Matthew Richardson is a special ‘Roar Vision’ post-season interview.

“He’s an outstanding mark, has great athleticism, and that goal he kicked in the elimination final, from about 80 metres out, there’s not too many people who can do that.

“So, look, he’s got some traits that we really like, and he’s just got to maintain that consistency in his performance.

“His fitness isn’t bad – it’s more of a belief factor.  He relies on his confidence to be up.

“What he’s got to work through is, he’s going to get beaten in games, but what he’s got to do is compete to a level that we know is acceptable.  And, he’s started to find that within himself.

“He’s done a lot of work with our development team to get to this level.

“We think with another pre-season, he’s going to become a really important player for us and, hopefully, a 40-plus goalkicker for us, also.”