Richmond ruck recruit Ivan Maric says he plans to be so aggressive for his new AFL club that opponents will hate to face him.
The 200cm 25-year-old's aggression was a key attraction for the Tigers and coach Damien Hardwick, who last week gave up national draft pick number 37 for the Adelaide big man.
While Maric struggled for senior games with the Crows, stuck behind ex-Carlton recruit Sam Jacobs in the ruck pecking order, he is likely to instantly assume number-one ruckman status with the Tigers.
But Maric said it was more than just greater opportunity and the chance to return to his home state that prompted his desire to join Richmond.
"It was just the transformation with Damien Hardwick and the effect he had on the playing group," Maric said on Richmond's website.
"Not only did he make them a lot more competitive and consistent, but just the way they celebrated and played for the team and played for each other was really attractive for me to watch.
"After meeting with Damien at the end of the year, it made everything clear about what I wanted to do and who I wanted to play for."
Maric said providing the aggression Richmond was after would come naturally for him.
"That's when I enjoy playing footy and that's why I loved playing the game as a kid," he said.
"I want to be aggressive, really aggressive at the ball, but I also want to be respected and I want people to hate playing against me because of that."
Maric said he felt "privileged and honoured" to be able to work with an emerging young Richmond midfield, which boasts the likes of budding stars Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin.
He was hoping to lift his new club, from the time he first hit the track for preseason training.
"I just want to come in and have an impact straight away and be pretty vocal, which I'm quite comfortable doing and being a leader on the track," Maric said.
"(I want to) drag others along and maybe set some new standards as well on the training track and in the weights room."
AAP
Tags: australian-football-league, sport, richmond-3121, vic, australia First posted October 18, 2011 19:52:12
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