Richmond ruckman Ivan Soldo has set his sights on becoming the ‘ultimate gladiator’ of the AFL
IVAN Soldo is quickly making his mark at Tigerland. The rising star is working closely with cult hero and cousin Ivan Maric as he sets his sights on becoming a gladiator of the AFL.
Richmond
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THE first Ivan to ever pull on the boots for Richmond — Ivan Maric — became a cult hero among Tigers fans and a force of the competition after crossing from Adelaide in 2011.
The club’s second Ivan — Maric’s Croatian cousin, Ivan Soldo — may not have the mullet but hopes he can live up to the name and one day reach the same lofty heights.
While just six games into his AFL career, Soldo’s development has been one of many positives for Damien Hardwick’s side this season as it builds towards September.
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An under-18 state basketballer for the ACT who also dabbled in rugby, soccer and tennis growing up, Soldo remarkably played his first game of football for TAC Cup club Northern Knights just three years ago in July 2014.
The 204cm, 106kg giant had just three disposals and gave away four free kicks that day but his size and athletic ability meant Richmond was willing to persist with the Category B rookie.
With Toby Nankervis suspended, and Maric and Shaun Hampson injured, Soldo received an unexpected call-up against the Western Bulldogs in Round 7 this season.
He had a record 42 hit-outs on debut as a lone hand in the ruck but has since played alongside Nankervis in a two-pronged ruck attack.
“Toby can play forward and ruck so he’s a weapon in that regard,” Soldo said, before hosting a training run with Croatia’s International Cup team at Punt Rd.
“Every game is a learning experience, whether it be a new backman I’m playing on or a new ruckman I’m playing on. It’s always a challenge but it’s good to get different players each week and try and work out their strengths and what works out well for me — and hopefully develop my game over the next couple of years.”
Maric, who retires at season’s end, has worked closely with his cousin across his three years at the club and has been a key in Soldo’s development.
“We have a family connection that’s always going to be there,” Soldo said.
“He’s hard on me but also very supportive. He doesn’t give me special treatment, he just treats me exactly the same way he does everyone else around the club which is the kind of character he is.”
A confident man himself, Soldo said he felt like a “gladiator” entering the Colosseum when he ran out on to Etihad Stadium to make his debut in May.
Long term, he does not want to be just any old gladiator though but rather the ultimate gladiator.
“I’m always trying to improve but it’s going to take time,” Soldo said.
“I wish I could be the best ruckman in the competition today but I’m enjoying the process of getting better.
“I love training and getting better so all the extra sessions I can get, all the gym sessions I can get, I always grab with two hands and try and be the best I can.
“There’s a lot of people proud of me and what I’ve done. I should be proud of myself but I always just want to get better.”
Originally published as Richmond ruckman Ivan Soldo has set his sights on becoming the ‘ultimate gladiator’ of the AFL
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