Shane Tuck is on target for his third top-three finish in Richmond’s Best and Fairest count in four full seasons of AFL football.

The 26-year-old midfielder, who made his senior league debut with the Tigers in 2004 (four appearances that year), finished third behind Joel Bowden in the 2005 Jack Dyer Medal, 10th in 2006 behind Kane Johnson, and third in 2007 behind Matthew Richardson.

And, given his consistent form this season, he has to be rated a definite chance to win the 2008 Jack Dyer Medal.

The big factor in Tuck’s favor is his remarkable durability . . .

Since Terry Wallace took over the coaching reins at Tigerland in 2005, ‘Tucky’ has not missed a match.

He has played 84 games straight, which has him well ahead on Richmond’s consecutive games list at the moment (Nathan Foley is second on 59) and in eighth place overall on the competition’s list (Sydney’s Brett Kirk leads with 148).

After 18 rounds this season, he’s averaging 23.1 disposals per game, which is just up on his league-career average of 22.1.  He’s also averaging nine contested possessions per game (ranked No. 7 in the competition), four clearances per game, five hard-ball gets per game (ranked No. 5 in the competition) and four tackles per game.

Tuck had a season-high 33 disposals in the Round 6 clash with Hawthorn at the MCG and he managed 31 disposals against the reigning premier Geelong in an impressive performance at Telstra Dome last Saturday night.

In typical Tuck style, he goes about his business with no fuss or fanfare, but his value to the Richmond side should not be underestimated.

While the likes of Nathan Foley, Brett Deledio and Trent Cotchin catch the eye with their speed and silky skills, it’s Tuck that provides important grunt to the Tiger midfield.

He’s a hard-running, hard-working midfielder, who has improved his disposal efficiency this year, and is one of the first names coach Terry Wallace pencils into the line-up each week.