WITH the new challenge of playing as a permanent forward, key Richmond tall Ty Vickery says he needs to eliminate inconsistency from his game to help the Tigers grow in 2014.
Vickery, who was used as a second ruckman last season, is poised to be a full-time goalkicker this year after the recruitment of former Carlton big man Shaun Hampson.
The 23-year-old, who is entering his sixth season, kicked 27 goals in 21 games last year - nine goals shy of his best haul in 2011 - but his output could increase significantly after a strong pre-season and with more time in attack.
Vickery said the key to becoming the imposing forward the Tigers need alongside Jack Riewoldt was eliminating form lapses within games and across the season.
"I need to play consistent footy and I need to [provide] the strong contest that we need in the forward line," Vickery told AFL.com.au.
"That's going to be my role, to take marks and provide a really good contest to the smaller guys to crumb the ball.
"I've probably been a little bit inconsistent, like most of my game, but I think that's what the best power forwards are able to do, they're able to turn 50-50 opportunities into marks.
"For us to be a better team we've all got to play more consistent footy … trying to always be in the game is a big focus for myself."
Vickery entered the pre-season with lingering groin soreness and was managed early, but he has since joined the main group and made strong fitness gains.
Working alongside Riewoldt and Hampson to build chemistry in the forward line has been a key focus.
"They're looking to slot Shaun into playing as a relief ruckman … and that presents me with a new challenge to play permanent forward," Vickery said.
"Everyone knows he (Hampson) has got a really good contested mark, he's a big body and he's able to guide the ball really well with his tap-work.
"For me to develop the relationship with Jack where we know we're going to work with each other for the whole game is going to be a really good thing for us.
"Jack's got a lot better at changing his game to suit playing alongside other people over the last few years and the team's got a lot better through that … I've just got to keep learning off Jack."
Ty Vickery during Richmond's Australia Post Community Camp in Warrnambool. Picture: Michael Willson
Vickery has kept a low profile since he was recruited with pick No.8 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, but he has always drawn attention and high expectations from a Tiger army desperate to see the 200cm forward deliver.
"With the Tigers rising and a pretty big fan base there's a lot of excitement building about the future and I guess there's added expectation," he said.
"But as players, we place as much expectation on ourselves as external (people) do. It's just all part and parcel of our job.
"At the end of the day we're playing the biggest sport in the country in a city that's got 10 teams, so it's just pressure that comes with the job."
Richmond finished 15th in each of Vickery's first two seasons, but he said his period at the club had been exciting after the Tigers emerged to play finals in 2013.
He said Richmond's chances of returning to September and improving on their seventh place finish would hinge on winning close games in 2014.
"It's going to be about taking those opportunities when they present themselves," he said.
"We've been through the hard times that some clubs are going through now and it's just good to come through with the core group of young guys we have.
"It's hard to perform and improve to the level you want to when you're getting pumped every week, but the season goes a lot quicker when you're winning."
