Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has endorsed the ruck combination of Ivan Maric and Shaun Hampson in the Tigers’ line-up.

The pair played together for just the second time this season in Saturday’s clash with Fremantle at the MCG and both had an impact, until Hampson was sidelined in the second half due to an ankle injury.

Hardwick liked what he saw from the two key ruckmen in their time out on the field together . . .

“Ivan kicks two goals up forward . . . I thought he looked pretty good up there,” Hardwick said.

VIDEO: Maric on the Sunday Footy Show

“His height and his strength caused some issues for Fremantle at stages. 

“We lost that when Shaun (Hampson) went off (with an ankle injury at half-time). 

“From a selection point of view, we were pretty happy with how that went (playing both Maric and Hampson in the side) over the last couple of weeks. 

“We think Shaun gives us a little bit more hit-outs to advantage that Ivan does.  But Ivan’s probably better around the ground. 

“So, we get a good mix with regard to that. 

“How that continues depends on Shaun’s availability this week . . .” 

Maric was pleased with how his ruck partnership with Hampson continued to develop last Saturday.

“It was really good because Shaun’s got some physical attributes that not many people in the competition can actually match . . . he’s so tall and powerful,” Maric said. 

“He’s been playing really well for the team and is really important for us.

“It (the ruck partnership) was working well. 

“I got to play up forward and impacted the scoreboard . . .”