Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric wins important battle against Bulldogs rival Will Minson Glenn McFarlane
From: Herald Sun
June 23, 2013 AS far as man mountains go, Ivan Maric and Will Minson are almost as powerful and imposing as they come.
Get in their way at your own peril.
And when the two bulky ruckmen crashed into each other at the first bounce last night - and for countless bounces and ball-ups across four quarters - the clunking of a collective 209 kilos against each other proved an intriguing battle in the Richmond-Western Bulldogs clash.
In match full of interesting personal battles - Brett Deledio and Liam Picken; and Trent Cotchin and Matthew Boyd to name a few - the Maric-Minson match-up was a must-watch.
And both men threw themselves into the contest in body and soul.
The importance of both these ruckmen to their respective sides cannot be undervalued - and last night underpinned the reasons why.
Minson has been outstanding so far this season and if he continues the form of the first 13 rounds, big Will is destined for his first All-Australian selection.
He's done it through sheer weight of numbers and sheer strength.
Maric is once more gaining momentum after having a few issues with his body earlier in the season.
He is a warrior and never stops giving his all.
Minson was always likely to hold the hit-out sway last night, but Maric knew he could minimise the damage by competing and charging at every contest.
And that's exactly what he did, and coach Damien Hardwick would have been delighted with Maric's output and sheer hard work.
Minson narrowly led the hit-outs in the first hour - 19 to 15 - but Maric held the possession sway - seven to three.
At half-time, the Tigers had 10 centre clearances to four, while the Dogs held sway on general clearances 19 to 16.
By the end of the game, Minson had marginally won the hit-out count head-to-head with Maric - 38 to 23 - but Hardwick would have been pleased with that.
Disposal-wise, the two big men locked it level with 10 disposals each.
And the centre clearances was in the Dogs' way, but only by one.
Given Minson's impact so far this season, that's a win for Maric.
Maric had some cameo assistance from Ty Vickery - 33 minutes of it in total - while Minson had to go it alone for almost all of the night.
It was a fascinating duel and Maric more than held his own, negating somewhat the influence of Minson, and giving his team plenty of strength and support.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-ruckman-ivan-maric-wins-important-battle-against-bulldogs-rival-will-minson/story-fndv8t7m-1226668137607
