Ivan Soldo traded to Port [merged]

[Andyy]

Can't wait to see him back. I hope he can still play well after that injury.

[The Machine]

We need him back. Was so important as he is that big strong body. Started taking strong pack marks and is a great tap ruck. Will work well with Nank.

[Diocletian]

Would rather see the Nank -CCJ combo next year (providing CCJ is still here and assuming Chol isn't)at least to start with...Soldo for when Nank is injured or needs to be "managed"......

[JP Tiger]

Nank & Ivan were well on their way to being the best ruck combo in the AFL ... until Tom Porkins, hopelessly out positioned in a marking contest, cannoned a team mate into Ivan's leg & ruptured his ACL ....  thanks again Tom ....   #@#&$!!!!
Ivan missed a whole year for that pathetic push in the back, Tom.  I'll remember you for that for a very long time, Tom!  ... you pathetic #@#&er!!!   

[Andyy]

Nank + Soldo is likely to be better than any of Nank + something.

CCJ will hopefully replace Jack anyway so we could play all three.

[Diocletian]

Nank/Soldo combo is too cumbersome and neither really hit the scoreboard when they go forward...Soldo's hit outs rarely go to advantage either...think his absence has made some people's hearts grow fonder...

[Andyy]

Nank/Soldo combo is too cumbersome and neither really hit the scoreboard when they go forward...Soldo's hit outs rarely go to advantage either...think his absence has made some people's hearts grow fonder...

Not really.

Bottom line re: Soldo is that he doesn't get his ass whooped when we play against huge rucks like Gawn, NicNat etc. He's a lot bigger than Nank, played well in the last two years and was consistently getting better.

CCJ will be available to replace Jack too anyway so I reckon that allows Nank to go back into the hole.

[one-eyed]

Tiger71 on his podcast reckons Soldo is training the house down. Advanced on where we thought he'd be at this stage. Not just straight line running. He's doing zig-zags and moving well.

[Willy]

Will be a handy inclusion next year.

[one-eyed]

Richmond premiership ruckman Ivan Soldo has put pen to paper on a new three-year deal, keeping him at the Club until at least the end of 2024.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1017596/three-more-for-soldo

Richmond General Manager- Football Talent, Blair Hartley said that Soldo’s return to the playing field would be exciting for the Club.

“Across more than seven years at Richmond, Ivan has shown an outstanding work ethic and willingness to improve his game.

“His knee injury late last year was very unfortunate, but he has worked hard throughout this season to put himself in a position to return strongly in 2022.

“Ivan is a key member of our team and we look forward to welcoming him back next year.”

[pmac21]

Is this a big FU to CCJ. 

[Diocletian]

Will lose his spot to Ryan in 2023....

[one-eyed]

Richmond great Matthew Richardson excited by Ivan Soldo comeback

James Buckley
Canberra Times
4 October 2021

Former Queanbeyan Tiger Ivan Soldo is poised to make a major return from injury in 2022, after Richmond opted to let ruckman Mabior Chol go to the Gold Coast Suns last month.

And the 25-year-old has a major ally in his corner, with club legend Matthew Richardson convinced Soldo would only improve on an AFL career which already includes a premiership medal, despite playing just 36 career games.

Soldo missed all of 2021 after suffering a horror knee injury in round 17 of 2020, during which he ruptured his anterior and medial ligaments.

His recovery remains on track, and the 204cm giant is eyeing off a pre-Christmas return to contact training before resuming his place in the Tigers' best 22.

With Chol's departure to the Suns, Soldo is now Toby Nankervis's clear-cut backup in the ruck and Richardson tipped the returning big man to surprise the league next year.

"He's a forgotten man outside of Richmond," Richardson told the Tigers website.

"Working in the media, it staggered me that he was barely mentioned whenever the team's injury list was discussed throughout the season.

"In 2019 and 2020, until he suffered his knee injury, he played some really good football. He was an important member of the 2019 premiership team.

"Soldo complements Toby Nankervis really well in the Tigers' ruck set-up.

"Nank is terrific around the ground and with his follow-up work, while Soldo's strength is at the centre bounces and stoppages through his ability to win hit-outs and provide the team's mids with first use.

"He's got a big body, good aggression and is a tough competitor."

Soldo won a premiership in just his 22nd AFL match, as part of the Richmond side that dismantled GWS in the 2019 decider.

"Soldo's also a popular clubman and, importantly, has a lot more upside to his football career," Richardson said.

"You've got to remember that he didn't grow up playing the game - basketball and soccer were his sports of choice.

"At 25 years of age, Soldo has played only 36 AFL games and probably wouldn't have played 100 games of Australian Football all-up yet.

"So, as he continues to develop his ruck craft, I think he's going to provide Richmond with plenty of value."

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7454571/key-ally-for-soldo-as-comeback-gathers-momentum/?cs=9465

[one-eyed]

* Ivan made good progress during the later part of this season. Could have played if we hadn't ruled him out. He's up in Queensland on his break. He's going well with his recovery.

- Blair Hartley.

[one-eyed]

Newly re-signed ruckman Ivan Soldo

“Ivan Soldo did some drills in the last week of the season (after an ACL tear) before it wrapped up and he had a little arthroscope over the pre-season after some swelling in his knee. He is back doing a bit and he will be in full training in the new year.” - Peter Burge.

Source: HeraldSun