Ivan Maric

Ivan Maric
File:Ivan Maric Richmond Family Day 16 February 2014 8.jpg Signing autographs at Tiger's family day 16 February 2014
Personal information
Full name	Ivan Marić
Date of birth	(1986-01-04) 4 January 1986
Place of birth	Victoria, Australia
Original team(s)	Keilor (EDFL) Calder Cannons
Draft	40th overall, 2004 Adelaide
Height/Weight	200cm / 102 kg
Position(s)	Ruckman
Club information
Current club	Richmond
Number	20
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2005–2011 2012– Total	Adelaide Richmond	077 (28) 077 (33) 154 (61)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2015 season.
Career highlights
Richmond Third place 2012 Best and Fairest Joint vice-captain 2015-

Ivan Maric (Croatian: Ivan Marić, born 4 January 1986) is an Australian rules football player of Croatian descent who plays with the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is the club's 2015 joint vice-captain along with Brett Deledio. Previously he played for the Adelaide Crows Football Club between 2005 and 2011 and joined Richmond in 2012. He is one of the most distinct players in the AFL, thanks to his hard 'old-style' footballing demeanour, and his mullet hairstyle. He pronounces his name as 'E-varn Marrich'.

Early career

A late starter to the game, Maric didn't play competitive football until he was 16 because of a blossoming basketball career. Maric nearly quit in his second season with the Calder Cannons because of his frustration with the technical aspects of the game. However Maric was talked into playing on and was drafted by the Crows with pick 40 in the 2004 AFL Draft only months later. Maric was assigned to the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL where he quickly became the number one ruckman in 2005.

Adelaide career

A FL debut was in round six of 2006 in the Showdown against Port Adelaide. He had seven disposals and kicked 1 goal on debut. Maric played a total of eight matches in 2006 and averaged 6 disposals and 9 hit-outs a game.

In 2007, a hip injury meant that he missed the early part of the season and returned to the senior side for the round 14 match against Hawthorn. In the round 19 clash with the Geelong Football Club Maric was promoted to the number 1 ruckman but was then dropped for the round 20 clash with the Western Bulldogs. In 2008, a pre-season injury and form delayed his return to midway through the season. He played out the rest of the season in the ruck, cementing his spot as the new number one ruck. 2009 saw Maric continued as Adelaide's clear number one ruckman.

In 2011 the combination of the new interchange rules and the arrival of Sam Jacobs at the Crows saw Maric given limited opportunities. Maric played just six games for the season. At the season's end it was reported Maric was keen to leave the Crows, with strong interest from Richmond. He was traded to Richmond in the 2011 Trade Week period, with Adelaide accepting Richmond's second-round pick (no. 37) for him, which was then subsequently on-traded to St. Kilda for Tom Lynch.

Richmond career

Maric joined Richmond in 2012 and established himself as the club's number one ruckman. In his first year he played 21 games and finished third in the club's best and fairest award, the Jack Dyer Medal. In November 2012, he was voted onto the club's seven player leadership group by his peers, for the 2013 season. In 2013, Maric missed three games through injury, but still played 20 games.

In 2014, Maric was again voted onto the club's (now five man) leadership group by his fellow players. In April 2014, Maric signed a two year contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2016 season.

In January 2015, Maric was appointed joint vice-captain for the 2015 season, along with Brett Deledio.

External links

• Ivan Maric's profile on the official website of the Richmond Football Club
• Ivan Maric's statistics from AFL Tables
• Ivan Maric's statistics from Footy Wire