Tuck lets form do the talkingBy Paul Daffey
afl.com.au
Wed 25 Jul, 2012RICHMOND midfielder Shane Tuck is content to let his football do the talking until he sits down with the club to discuss a contract at the end of the season.
Tuck, 30, is happy with the way his season is going.
"I've got a pretty strong mindset at the moment," he said.
"I don't want to talk contracts; I just want to play every week.
"Whatever happens happens, mate."
Last season Tuck was out of favour before showing his value with strong performances over the final six rounds.
The Tigers offered him a one-year contract, reasoning that his seasoned body would help to shield his young teammates, and Tuck has fully justified the club's faith in him, playing all 16 games.
Not only has he been aggressive in close, he's fourth on Richmond's list for disposals.
He's had the most handballs of any Richmond player and his clearance rate is far above the rest of the team with 99 clearances. Trent Cotchin has had 77 and Brett Deledio 56.
During the four-point loss against North Melbourne last Sunday, the 189cm midfielder started slowly before becoming a key player as the game went on.
He spent the first half playing just off the stoppages, positioning himself to intercept the quick kick out of the pack.
In the second half he pushed forward, where he kicked two late goals to almost snatch victory for the Tigers.
One of the goals was from a superb mark in front of a pack above 30m out.
Tuck finished with 26 disposals, second behind Brett Deledio, and had five clearances.
"I was very disappointed with my first half," he said. "I was a little bit out.
"But I pushed forward in the second half and in the last quarter I popped up and kicked a couple."
Tuck said Richmond had suffered from bad luck during its series of close losses this season.
Next season he'd like the chance to help rectify the Tigers' fortunes.
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