2026 Positional Preview: RucksRuck Coach, Ivan Maric, shares his insights about Richmond's ruckmen heading into 2026.
By Henry Milic
RichmondFC.com.au
Feb 3, 2026In the lead-up to the 2026 AFL season, Richmond Media will assess how each positional group is tracking in the pre-season. Today, we focus on the rucks with Ruck Coach and Player Development Manager, Ivan Maric. Click here to read the backline preview, click here to read the midfield preview and click here to read the forward preview.
One of the most demanding and physical positions in football falls to the role of the ruckmen.
Maric has provided an overview of the Club's rucks, outlining how all of them are enjoying a strong pre-season.
“It’s really different to other years,” Maric told Richmond Media.
“I suppose in the past I've always had the safety net of Toby (Nankervis) and even Ivan Soldo, going back a few years, whereas now I've got some less experienced guys under Toby.
“Toby's had a quieter football program prior to Christmas, but he's got so much experience that it just helps that he can do that at this stage in his career.
“Oliver Hayes-Brown and Samson Ryan, who are really going well, they've come back in really good shape. You can physically see that they're fit, and that's been really good.
“Those two guys are getting a lot of time, which is important for them and important for their development.”
Former Perth Wildcats basketball player turned footballer, Hayes-Brown, has been patiently waiting for his moment, honing his craft in Richmond’s VFL side.
The 25-year-old impressed with a strong stint in the VFL last year, including a standout performance against the Bullants in Round 14, where he recorded 36 hitouts, 26 disposals, 10 clearances, and a goal.
Maric is now calling for Hayes-Brown to knock down the door for AFL selection this season.
“We need him to knock on the door. I need him to kick down the door,” Maric said.
“I always have to keep reminding myself where he was at two years ago, and you look at him now, he's put in so much work into his game, into his life, and he's a consistent VFL player.
“I just really want him to push for that spot and push for selection because he's got it in him, and that's the same with Samson as well.
“(They need to) keep pushing it, because it's a healthy competition. Toby needs it.”
After successfully rehabilitating from a foot injury, Ryan has made strong inroads this pre-season, consistently competing and showing a strong work ethic to improve his craft.
Ryan played two AFL games in 2025, including the Round 6 win over the Gold Coast Suns.
“He had a really good block pre-Christmas. We asked him to come back in really good shape, and he did, which is good,” Maric said.
“He has such good character, all my rucks do. I'm really, really blessed that I've got rucks with great character, they're great men.
“Samson is going well. Another year under his belt, which is good, and I’m really looking forward to it, really excited about him putting his skills on show.”
As Hayes-Brown and Ryan continue to develop, three-time premiership player Toby Nankervis remains one of the most important players at the Club.
“I am super confident in him. He's used heaps of knowledge that he's gained over a long period of time, combined with his competitive spirit,” Maric said of Nankervis.
“It's made his game really consistent, and he is a great leader because he prepares each week really well and competes so well, and that's why his teammates and coaches asked him to be the captain.
“He's been a guy that loves just training every day, loves pushing himself, so he's just embracing the challenge of being a bit quieter pre-Christmas.”
Maric has also been inspired by the work of young forward Tom Sims and his ability to compete against bigger bodies around the ground.
Continuing his injury recovery, the 18-year-old has demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and a strong commitment to improving every day, ensuring he gets the most out of himself. To read more on Sims' journey, click here.
“He is another kid with a great character. I really liked working with Simsy for the last 12 months. It's been awesome,” Maric explained.
“I love his game, I love his movement and his ability to play forward really comfortably and play in the ruck.
“He probably doesn't realise it right now, just how capable he is in both roles.
“When he gets a bit more experience, and when he really feels comfortable, it's going to be so good to watch.
“The great thing about Tom is that, even though he's in rehab at the moment with a bit of a sore foot, his attitude towards his rehab has been world-class.
“I love working with guys like that, who want to be good no matter what they're doing.”
Similarly, Mykelti Lefau has been getting valuable reps in the ruck position during match simulation this pre-season.
Having worked hard to return from an ACL injury, Lefau made his way back into the AFL team in Round 16 last year, however, his much-anticipated return was cut short due to a calf injury.
Since then, Lefau has worked hard to get himself back to the level and has added a ruckman's skill set to his arsenal.
“Mykelti is such a good option in the ruck,” Maric said.
“He is a great person, so we'll see him doing some ruck. Mykelti has been doing some ruck work in the games, so he gives us something different.
“He impacts the ball when it hits the ground with his tackling or his ability to win it, and then he can take a really good mark, and he competes really aggressively. He's really dynamic, and he is an intimidating type of player, so I really like having him in there.
“I love working with him as well. He's probably another one we'll see in there."
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1949418/2026-positional-preview-rucks
