Home time for Maverick Weller ahead of Richmond's JLT Series game in LauncestonAlex Fair
The Examiner
March 7 2019 - 7:35PMOne game into his new life as a Tiger, Maverick Weller feels he is playing as well as ever.
The 27-year-old former Burnie Docker made his debut for Richmond in last week's JLT encounter with Melbourne, collecting 14 disposals, taking nine marks, laying five tackles and kicking 1.0 playing in the front half in his new side's win.
He credited part of the reason behind that performance to the environment at his new football home, one he has embraced since he signed as a pre-season supplemental selection in December.
"It has been great and they are such a great club and have been so welcoming,'' said Weller, who played 121 games for Gold Coast and St Kilda before the Tigers gave him a lifeline.
"I've been able to see first hand that all the rumours about their culture are true, and it is just a great culture with great leadership with Trent (Cotchin), Alex (Rance) and Jack (Riewoldt), so it has been a seamless transition.
"I feel very much part of it all ready and Sunday was a lot of fun and I felt instantly comfortable out there.
"(Last week) I was running on top of the ground either though it was 40 degrees and it was good to get involved and I felt more confident as the game went on.
"It is pretty easy to play your role in that side as when you look around there are some seriously talented players, and that just makes it easier to go about your role."
After "giving it all" over the pre-season, which included constantly reviewing each training session to ensure he could adapt to the Richmond way, Weller said he was ready for the next step in his journey at Punt Road.
This will include Saturday night's JLT Series clash against Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium, and then hopefully round 1 selection against Carlton.
Weller said he couldn't wait to once again play in his home state.
The match will come at the ground where he made his senior debut for the Burnie Dockers.
He also kicked his first AFL goal there as a Sun.
"I love it as when it is all over and done with over here I am planning on going back to Tassie, and I just feel so comfortable when I am down there,'' he said.
"You walk out onto the ground and instantly there is a familiar smell and a familiar feel, and you are instantly comfortable, and I do love it."
He said the Tigers would be taking Saturday's outing very seriously.
"In the game just gone we did try a few things with a few blokes out of position and we tried a few different structural things, and this will be a full dress rehearsal for round 1, and I don't think we will be taking it easy, we will be going pretty hard,'' he said.
"We watched a bit of the Hawks today and they looked pretty similar to last year and they look to switch the ball a lot with short kicking to open up the ground and they are just a well drilled outfit, as they have been for 10 years, and we will need to be accountable, but we are looking forward to it."
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5943243/home-time-for-richmonds-maverick-weller/?cs=96
