Ivan Maric stakes his claim on ruck Mark Hayes
From: Sunday Herald Sun
May 27, 2012 IN nine short weeks, Ivan Maric has gone from intriguingly mulleted sideshow to bona fide ruck god.
And from no less an inspiration than Chris Newman, it says everything about the ex-Crow that the Richmond captain said he was making a good midfield group look even better.
"He's playing his role, big Ivan, but when you run out with him, you definitely walk a little bit taller," Newman said after Maric pulverised a combination of Jarryd Roughead and David Hale in the ruck in the Tigers' 62-point caning of Hawthorn at the MCG.
Importantly, though, Maric also had 18 incisive disposals, including a goal and classy goal assist in the game's most telling five minutes late in the third term.
"He competes hard, drops back to help out in defence, gives us good use out of the middle and can sneak forward and kick a couple which is really important," Newman said.
"I love playing with him, boys love playing with him, and the supporters certainly love him.
"(In Adelaide) he always had the reputation of a bash-and-crash ruckman who thrived on contest.
"(But) he's grown an extra leg here. He's appreciative that he's been given a second opportunity and the thing I love is that he was so keen from the get-go to come over, and he saw something in the group and wanted to be a part of it."
While the recruit wanted to play selfless team football, Maric himself said his fitness was the catalyst for his starring individual form.
"I've done a full pre-season and I feel, even in the last quarter in the last few weeks, like my running is pretty strong and that I can match it with anyone in the comp," Maric said on 3AW.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/ivan-maric-stakes-his-claim-on-ruck/story-e6frf9jf-1226367861720
