Ivan Maric

[Bullarto Tiger]

For those writing off Ivan I was watching the EF replay and halfway through the third quarter and Leigh Matthews commented on the ruck duel between Goldstein and Maric and on his assessment he felt that they had broken even at that point on their contributions around the ground.

Ivan is one of those players that you want in the trenches with you when the game is on the line, a real warrior at heart and that is something that the stats don't show.

No one could ever question Maric's attitude, competitiveness or contribution to the team.
In fact, he would be one of the first picked in my finals team, simply because he is a warrior and would give his all for the cause.
I just think that during the course of 2016 the big fella will have to be rested and nursed through the season if he is to be a fine contributor come the end of a gruelling season's campaign for the finals.
In being a bit selective about the opposition the Tigers are pitted against it might well provide the opportunity to strengthen the meagre ruck stocks with a bit more diversity as the season spreads out.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Neither Vickery or Griffiths are the answer here, but will no doubt support the fading Ivan in 2016.

A problem indeed.

Well the club didn't go down the ruck route come recruitment time. Blair & Richo are backing Hammer's reconstructed ankles in..

 

[Bullarto Tiger]

And who wouldn't be inspired by re-constructed ankles taking the Tigers forward!

 

[Tigers of Old]

Hopefully he's had his hands reconstructed as well.

 

[TigerMasochist]

Ivan is one of those players that you want in the trenches with you when the game is on the line, a real warrior at heart and that is something that the stats don't show.

Reckon that's the area Ivvy needs to step up to maximum this year. He's going to get beaten by the best rucks n at least halve against the other rucks. Ivvy brings maximum value when he's hustling n bustling inside the contests around the ball. Block a bit of space, barge arse or ruffle a few opposition mids n give that fraction of time n space to our mids. It rarely looks like much at the game or on t.v. but it's a massive influence on ball control deep in the traffic.
It won't hurt either if some of KMac, Moore or Townsend can step up a bit n provide some additional big body work on the ball, there's some serious midfield beasts out there n Cotch n Miles, Shedda, B Ellis, Grigga etc look like pygmies at times. It's a bit scary when our biggest possible midfield rotations still look like runts compared to some of the boys lining up in there.

 

[Baloo]

Have iVan rove Hamster's taps. All sorted

 

[leon]

You must be referring to the 2nd Carlton game last year. His best game of the year IIRC.

FWIW, did my homework this time and it was the Carlton game; almost definitely Hampson's best for 2015:

11 disps (10 kicks 1 hballs), 8 marks and 34 hitouts in Rd 15 30-pt win over Carlton at the MCG (10 Jul 2015)

Interestingly it was against one of the best young, mobile rucks - Kruezer - who did shade him slightly overall, although Hampo more than doubled his hitouts.
Sure, we know you want/need more around the ground from a ruckman, but it starts with hitouts in a ruck. Further proof of this is in all the praise for Goldstein who won AA and many rated top ruck in '15. He set a new AFL record for HOs.

It can be taken as proof then that Hampo can compete. Consistently? Who knows?
But I like Bullarto's idea about selecting Ivvy for certain games, then testing Hampson, Griff, Vickery out in games against unsuitable opponents.
Hampson will have to be given his opportunities to either prove himself or be discarded this year for AFL. If he cannot cut it, Soldo must be fast-tracked.

 

[Bullarto Tiger]

There is a part of me that would rather fast-track Soldo than keep persisting with Hampson, because the latter is not the future.

 

[tigertim]

There is a part of me that would rather fast-track Soldo than keep persisting with Hampson, because the latter is not the future.

He wasnt the past either.

 

[Dyer'ere]

Ten or fifteen years ago I wrote about the imprtance or otherwise of rucks. About how rucks who routinely won were a disadvantage but those who could nullify at any level were invaluable.

I was then an anti ruck. But I'm moreso now.

Ruck is defensive - just don't lose. Let the footballers resolve the match.

 

[spook]

Ten or fifteen years ago I wrote about the imprtance or otherwise of rucks. About how rucks who routinely won were a disadvantage but those who could nullify at any level were invaluable.

I was then an anti ruck. But I'm moreso now.

Ruck is defensive - just don't lose. Let the footballers resolve the match.

Or you could play footballers in the ruck.

Ivan has been a footballer. A big, brave, beautiful mullet whose teammates grew an inch. But he can't jump, and he can't run, and he's always been short.

Hampson, tall, can jump, can run, can nullify, can't football much. Ivan Jr might be a bit better.

A combination of Griff, Ty and Beanie gives you an extra footballer.

 

[Dyer'ere]

Mip.

 

[tigertim]

Watching him up close yesterday hit home how little leap he has....none!

 

[tha8ball]

In for a long year.... Massive concern

 

[toby64]

If he's still number one ruck at the business end of the season we are in strife.

Need someone else to replace him ASAP.

 

[zippadeee]

If he's still number one ruck at the business end of the season we are in strife.

Need someone else to replace him ASAP.

Really surprising they didn't chase Currie, Smith or Sandilands

 

[spook]

Zac Smith looked very good the other night.

 

[BrisTiger24]

Maric always takes a few weeks to get going.

But agree with the sentiment. We have nobody. Hampson is never going to come good, Ty is a better part time ruck, Griff doesn't have the body and Soldo is light years away.

Agree we should have looked at Zac Smith. He looked amazing for the cats the other night. Forced me to look back to see what they gave up for him. 2 picks in the 40s/50s...he would be a great addition to our list

 

[saigon tiger]

Maric always takes a few weeks to get going.

But agree with the sentiment. We have nobody. Hampson is never going to come good, Ty is a better part time ruck, Griff doesn't have the body and Soldo is light years away.

Agree we should have looked at Zac Smith. He looked amazing for the cats the other night. Forced me to look back to see what they gave up for him. 2 picks in the 40s/50s...he would be a great addition to our list

Yep Zac Smith would have been a great get! The Cats have killed it in the draft and recruiting off season. They will leapfrog us this year as well as continue their winning run against us.

 

[waiting]

I agree with other posters that we should have pursued Zac.

Was going to be a star when first picked up and his showing with the Cats at 206 cm , nice leap and mark is going to possibly fulfill his ability !

I love the warrior Maric but he no longer has much of a leap and against taller ruckmen and ones with a leap he will struggle. With queries over Sean, Griffiths and knocks to Vickery as well(concussions) it's an area of weakness. Soldo is still maybe another 12 mths and young Choi if he grows into his body is possibly 2 years away.

It looks like contested and tackling is an area we have worked at over summer and with the additions of Townsend, Moore and possibly KMac rotating through our midfield options(not all in the one team at the one time) to help Cotch it will make work of our midfield to gain first use of the football.

Could be Maric last year. The wear and tear has been showing on and off the last 18 months on Marics body.

Heart and soul of the Tigers and loved by the Tiger Army but we all must realise it's an area we must address in the end of season draft.