In the 19^th of a Bingle Recruitment Zone special series, featuring 20 highlights from Richmond’s trade/draft history during the off-season, we focus on Ivan Maric’s major impact since joining the Tigers from Adelaide.

Throughout the second season of Damien Hardwick’s coaching reign at Richmond (in 2011), it became apparent that the Club’s ruck stocks were in need of a decent dose of experience.

The retirement of veteran big man Troy Simmonds the previous year, had placed Richmond’s rucking responsibility squarely on the shoulders of unproven young pair Angus Graham and Andrew Browne, along with some back-up from a then 21-year-old Ty Vickery.

It was proving to be a mighty tough task for the inexperienced Tiger ‘talls’ to handle, so Richmond subsequently embarked on a search for a ruckman, who’d been in the AFL system for a while, and had the necessary attributes to make a significant contribution as the team’s No. 1 ruckman.

Enter Ivan Maric . . .

The 200cm, 102kg ruckman had originally been selected at pick 40 in the 2004 AFL National Draft by Adelaide.

He’d made his senior league debut with the Crows in 2006 and slowly, but surely, progressed, taking over as their No. 1 ruckman by 2009.

Maric had his best season at Adelaide in season 2010, playing 21 games, and being ranked seventh out of all the ruckmen in the competition for hit-outs to advantage.

But the arrival at Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs, at the end of that year, resulted in Maric spending most of the 2011 season at SANFL level.

With Jacobs taking over the Crows’ ruck mantle, Maric managed just six AFL appearances in 2011.

Richmond knew he had the ability, the strength of character, and the desire to succeed. 

And, after managing just 77 games in six years with Adelaide, Maric was craving more opportunity to showcase his ruck skills.

He was the perfect fit for the Tigers . . .

Richmond ended up exchanging its second round draft pick (No. 37 overall) for Maric during the AFL’s 2011 trade period.

 “We were keen to bolster our ruck stocks with a more experienced big man, and believe Ivan really suits our needs,” said Richmond’s General Manager of Football Craig Cameron at the time.

“He’s been in the system for a few years now and has the attributes we’re looking for in a ruckman.  He is highly competitive, aggressive, has a strong work ethic, footy ‘smarts’, and the flexibility to go forward and be a marking target.

“We think Ivan will really grasp this opportunity with us and become a valuable member of our playing group.”

From the moment he arrived at Tigerland, Maric endeared himself to the Yellow and Black faithful with his professional attitude, along with a fierce desire to help the Club succeed.

“I want to be a leader on the track and drag other along, and maybe set some new standards as well, on the training track and in the weights room,” he said.

 “When I play my best footy, and when I enjoy playing footy the most, is when I’m aggressive.  

“I want to be aggressive – really aggressive – at the ball . . . I want people to hate playing against me because of that.”

The Tiger Army knows a cult figure when they see one, so it was hardly surprising that the ex- Crow ruckman quickly became a fan favorite at his new football home.

Apart from his strongly-built frame, warrior-like approach and on-field aggression, there was, of course, that now famous flowing mullet, which added to Maric’s instant appeal to the Yellow and Black barrackers.

Maric had an enormous impact in his debut season with Richmond in 2012.

He played 21 games, averaged nearly 16 disposals per match, was ranked No. 3 in the entire competition for total hit-outs, was No. 2 at the Club for total contested marks, No. 5 for tackles, and No. 6 for centre clearances.

And, he was rewarded for his top-class, first-up season at Tigerland, with third placing in the Jack Dyer Medal.

In 2013, Maric’s output dropped marginally, as he battled injury problems, but he remained a valuable contributor for the Tigers.

This year, Maric’s absence for almost the entire first half of the season, while recovering from ankle surgery, was a significant factor in Richmond’s alarming form slump during that time.  On the other hand, his return clearly was a significant factor behind the team’s stirring 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, and he was a constant source of inspiration to his Tiger teammates due to his warrior-like approach.

Clearly, 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.

He exerted a huge influence at centre bounces, stoppages, and through his general grunt work around the ground.

And, Maric thrived on the awesome challenge of taking on the competition’s younger, more athletic ruckmen such as West Coast’s Nick Natanui and Essendon’s Paddy Ryder – more than holding 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.

His overall importance at Richmond is undeniably huge.