RICHMOND forward Liam McBean says he has shed his 'project player' attitude and is ready to make his mark if given the chance to appear at the pointy end of the season.
McBean has been building a strong case in the VFL for a senior debut, kicking 20 goals in the past five matches to lead the goalkicking in the state league with 33.
In talks to remain with the Tigers after two years on the list, the 202cm forward said he was mentally ready to play at the highest level if his form was rewarded.
"Last year when I got drafted I didn't have many expectations to put my hand up to play; I had the mentality of being a project player and taking longer to develop," he told AFL.com.au.
"But after about round 12, 'Choco' (senior development coach Mark Williams) pulled me into his office and said, 'They're thinking of playing you; you better get yourself ready and start believing you're ready to go'.
"Obviously big guys take time, but from that point onwards I really decided I'm not going to be that sort of player.
"I don't want to have that mindset that it doesn't matter if I don't play this year, because I'm as eager as anyone to get out there and pull on the Richmond jumper."
Recruited with pick No.33 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, McBean was on the cusp of senior selection last season when he booted 11 goals in two matches, but he was overlooked and suffered a season-ending ankle injury in his next VFL match.
Subsequent surgery restricted him through the pre-season and the 19-year-old's 2014 campaign was interrupted by a finger operation mid-year.
The ankle surgery saw him lose valuable weight, but McBean said he was back to 95kg and aiming to reach 98kg by the end of his next pre-season.
Another key focus has been the defensive side of his game after feedback from coach Damien Hardwick on what was required at AFL level.
"The amount of goals I was kicking was probably the same amount I gave away from not being switched on defensively," he said of his form earlier this season.
"There's been stages this year where I've looked a little bit uncompetitive and I've spoken to 'Dimma' a lot about second and third efforts, just to show that desperation.
"'Dimma' has shown a lot of faith in me, and I've worked a lot on just changing my mindset and being more aware and not letting my defenders run the ball out of the backline."
Contested marking has been the other key focus for McBean, who acknowledged he needed to take more marks in pack situations or bring the ball to ground.
He said he had made an effort to simplify his football, which had been the main reason for his recent good form.
"Sometimes I try to do a little bit too much," McBean said.
"I've spoken to 'Clarkey' (VFL coach Tim Clarke) a few times about trying to keep inside the box.
"There were definitely times when I had shots on goal when I wasn't in the right spot and I'd try to do too much with the ball and wouldn't pick the right targets.
"Now my game is about marks, goals, and applying defensive pressure."
