Tigers mull Ivan Maric’s AFL future

Richmond cult hero Ivan Maric could be forced to look for a new AFL club, with the Tigers still unsure whether the ruckman is part of their plans for 2017.

Maric, who comes off contract at the end of the year, missed the opening four rounds of the season because of a back injury.

The 30-year-old was dropped after playing rounds five and six, with Shaun Hampson overtaking him as the Tigers’ No.1 ruckman.

Form and fitness issues mean Maric has played just one game since, against Port Adelaide in round 15.

In sharp contrast, Hampson’s career-best season was rewarded with a two-year contract extension earlier this week.

“That’s a list management decision we’ll work our way through,” Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said on Thursday, when asked about Maric.

“Ivan is an important player for us and he probably hasn’t had the year that he or us would like.

“He’s had some injury concerns across the year and just hasn’t really got up and going at any stage.

“But we know what Ivan can do and Ivan at his best is a very, very good AFL player.

“So we’ll make those decisions at the end of the year.”

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