Maric finding some magicBy Paul Daffey
Mon 27 Feb, 2012THE MANY fans who thought Richmond recruit Addam Maric played well in his first game in the yellow and black had a significant supporter - Maric himself.
The 21-year-old small forward told AFL.com.au that the game he played against Hawthorn in the first round of the NAB Cup was the most satisfying of his career.
The main reason, he said, was his rise in "pressure acts", a facet of his game on which he's had to work.
But Maric also gained plenty of the ball, and every time he got it there was a sense that something was about to happen.
Maric was renowned for his creativity as a junior.
Against Hawthorn it seemed as if he was ready to reveal to the AFL world his box of tricks.
"I contributed, but I want to play better," he said.
Melbourne took Maric at No.21 in the 2007 NAB Draft from the Calder Cannons.
He spent four frustrating years with the Demons, playing only 21 matches and kicking 15 goals.
He had injuries, but his main problem was inconsistency, and Maric said he was too emotionally and physically immature to handle life as an AFL footballer.
He realised after the 2010 season that he was going to have to knuckle down, and with no injuries to hold him back, he put in his first full pre-season.
During 2011 he had a career-high 31 possessions against Adelaide, but again he struggled to establish himself, playing nine games and kicking eight goals.
The Demons delisted him and Richmond picked him in at No.7 in the NAB AFL Rookie draft.
He now believes he's in a better position to realise his potential.
Maric has drawn great confidence from the encouragement of Richmond coaches and fitness staff, and greater confidence from the simple fact that he's been able to complete his second full pre-season.
Early in his career he felt as if he was always behind the eight ball. Now, he said, he was the fittest he had ever been.
Maric's main source of support during the Tigers' victory over Hawthorn - he didn't play in the earlier match against North Melbourne - was fellow small forward Jake King.
"He spoke to me a fair bit during the game - encouragement and a bit of direction," Maric said.
To the onlooker it seemed as if King was rather big-hearted, as he and Maric appear to be playing for the same spot.
But Maric believed there was room for more than one small forward in the Tigers' attack.
He said most small forwards were now part of midfield rotations, and he and King could work in tandem rather than trying to undercut each other.
Maric's immediate aim is modest. He just wants to perform well enough during the pre-season and the VFL season to be upgraded to the senior list if the opportunity arises.
"I just want to play well this Sunday against Freo, and then take it one week at a time," he said. "I'm trying not to look too far ahead."
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