Hampson ramps up the pressureJennifer Phelan
afl.com.au
January 17, 2014 3:23 PMSHAUN Hampson's arrival at Richmond has shaken up the club's tall timber.
Hampson, 25, crossed to the Tigers from Carlton in a trade for their second round draft selection in October last year.
While training loads meant some players including Hampson, Ivan Maric, Tyrone Vickery and Ben Griffiths missed Friday's session, they have impressed on the track so far this summer.
"The big boys have been competing really well," captain Trent Cotchin said after the session, held on Melbourne's fourth consecutive day of 40-plus degree heat.
"Obviously the challenge for spots are going to heat up and it's exciting for us.
"There's some really young guys that are coming through with a bit more size and a bit more strength and obviously a lot more development under their belt."
And he said Hampson's recruitment had helped increase the pressure for spots where there had been little in recent years.
His arrival also will allow Maric to rest when required, with the big man troubled by groin soreness in previous seasons.
The big former Crow is expected to need to be carefully managed throughout the rest of his career because of the on-going issue.
Given the success the Tigers have had in recent seasons with recycled players, there is reason to be optimistic that Hampson will have some impact.
"He's just been a great acquisition," midfielder Daniel Jackson said this week.
"It gives Ivan a bit of a chop out, it allows us to use Ty as a real forward weapon rather than throwing him around in the ruck and just gives the young guys time to develop as well."
With the new interchange cap of 120 a game coming in, Maric may spend more time in the forward line with Hampson in the side.
Another player to benefit is Vickery, who will also be hoping to turn his promising pre-season form into a solid season in attack.
"He had a pretty consistent year last year and his pre-season has been fantastic. He's been clunking really good marks up forward but also his little stints in the ruck have been impressive as well," Cotchin said.
Coach Damien Hardwick said last year that Maric would likely need "a couple of weeks off" mid-season to get himself ready for the run to finals, and Jackson said the ability to rest key players was becoming more important.
"I think that's something every club in the AFL is going to look at doing more," Jackson said.
"You need to have assets to come in and replace. You don't want to be diminishing the quality of your side to rest a player.
"But, if you can rest a player and still have your best 22 in there, that's going to be good for later in the year because it's a tough game and it gets harder every year."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-01-17/hampson-ramps-up-pressure
