Richmond believes there is suitable back-up for its No. 1 ruckman Ivan Maric among the Club’s current playing stocks.

Maric has battled bravely against significantly bigger ruck opponents over the past few years, but has found the going tough at times.

The Tigers, however, feel they have a rucking combination within their ranks, capable of matching it with the competition’s best.

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“We’re well aware there are times when a taller ruckman, who can get his hand up a bit higher and get the ball going our way, is an area, particularly against opposition taller ruckmen, that we need to look at,” Richmond’s General Manager of Football, Dan Richardson, said on the Club’s official podcast ‘Talking Tigers’.

“That’s the reason we brought Shaun Hampson in two years ago. 

“Shaun’s had some injury hiccups, and we possibly haven’t backed him enough in terms of selections.  But I’m sure we’ll be doing that (in 2016).

“I think he showed signs midway through the year he can be that player. 

“Statistically, in terms of getting first hand on the ball in the ruck contest, he’s as good as any other ruckman out there, even the elite ruckmen in the AFL. 

“Yes, there’s work for him to do around the ground, and some other aspects of his game . . . But that’s an area Ivan’s outstanding at. 

“So, if we can get those two to complement each other over the course of the year, a little bit better than perhaps we have over the last 12 months, then we’ve got ruckmen on our list. 

“And, then, we’ve obviously got the likes of Ty (Vickery) and ‘Griff’ (Ben Griffiths), and even Liam McBean, who can pinch hit in the ruck too.”