Vickey set for 2013By Adam McNicol
afl.com.au
8:51 PM Sat 10 Nov, 2012RICHMOND'S 2013 prospects will be heavily dependent on finding some forward line support for two-time Coleman medallist Jack Riewoldt.
The good news is that big man Ty Vickery, who missed the second half of the Tigers' 2012 campaign due to a shoulder injury, is fit again and ready to attack the pre-season.
“We probably played him a little bit injured last year, which is a mistake on my behalf, so we’re looking forward to big season from Ty next year," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said in a recent interview on 3AW.
Vickery, who was a top-10 draft pick in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, had a breakout season in 2011, playing every game and booting 36 goals.
But once he was forced to undergo surgery in July, the Tigers had to rely more on Brad Miller to help out Riewoldt.
Miller has now retired, which has heaped more pressure on Vickery to stand up next year.
"(Ty) is a guy that is of enormous importance to us," Hardwick said.
"He’s just a positive when he walks onto the field. He straightens us up, he certainly gives Ivan Maric some help in the ruck situation, and he’s an important part of our future."
In more good news for Tigers fans, Riewoldt's body is also in good shape.
"Jack, to his credit, last year he didn't have a pre-season at all," Hardwick said.
"He had five operations over the course of the November-December months and didn't have any pre-season.
"So this year he'll come in pretty much unhindered, and we're certainly looking forward to a bigger season from Jack."
Richmond has also strengthened its attack with the acquisition of former North Melbourne forward Aaron Edwards.
Although Edwards hasn't begun his time at the Tigers in great fashion - he was arrested for being drunk in a public place after a big day out at the Cox Plate - Hardwick believes the 28-year-old can make a big impression at Punt Rd.
"He was obviously disappointed with his actions," Hardwick said.
"It was something that didn't put him on the best foot, so to speak, coming into the club.
"So he knows he's got the hard work in front of him.
"But he's a noted goalkicker and it's certainly an area that last year, with Ty going down, we certainly needed to bolster."
Edwards has begun his pre-season on a modified program.
"He came in after a bit of shoulder surgery - nothing major, just a minor operation," Hardwick said.
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