No longer can Ivan Soldo rest on his laurels as a rookie learning the ropes. This is make or break.
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Off-contract with just eight senior games to his name, the Richmond Tigers prospect says it is time to step up and become a bona fide AFL player as the club resumes the role of the hunter.
Soldo is determined to force his way into Richmond's best 22 behind chief ruckman Toby Nankervis with new rules encouraging clubs to play two genuine rucks.
The 22-year-old's lack of a second position could count against him early but 204cm Soldo is confident he has what it takes to become a more versatile player in his bid to earn a contract extension.
"For me, I’ve been improving in all areas, but it’s probably time for me now to step up," Soldo said.
"It’s been four years, this is my fifth season now. I’ve got to start making use of what’s here now. At the start you’re just getting used to it all, and every year there is a couple of guys they play young, but with me being 22 now, the coaches want to see more from me. The pressure might be on.
"Patience is the key. The rule changes open the doors for that second ruck role again, but it’s up to the coaches to see what they want to do.
"There is a lot more space in the middle so there will be more emphasis on having a good ruckman, and not just having a short ruckman, in that centre bounce. It’s such an important part of the game now, with stoppages and clearances.
"Playing pre-season gives me confidence that I’m in that 26, but obviously you want to be in that 22. I would love to play more with the AFL starting team, so those opportunities in pre-season, you’ve got to take them and earn the trust of your teammates.
"I need to trust them and they can trust me, knowing that I can be that person and be that player they want."
Soldo's sheer determination to prove himself is perhaps a little different to where he was a year ago, when he didn't want to heap pressure on himself or whip himself for not playing a certain number of games.
The former ACT basketballer's mentality is reverberating around Punt Road after the Tigers bowed out in a shock preliminary final defeat at the hands of Collingwood last year.
Richmond were favourites to defend their title, so dominant were they that no club could get close to them - until the Magpies caused a major boilover and forced the Tigers to watch the grand final from afar.
"The coaches always try to motivate us with that. The way we went out was now how we obviously expected or wanted," Soldo said.
"They always say it’s better to be the hunter than the hunted. The whole season going so well and ending with that game really burred a couple of boys up.
"The club is amazing, even win or loss, the connection is there. Everyone is enthusiastic. The club is in a great place for the future. Whether I play or not, I know the club is going to do well, but personally, I hope to be playing a lot more this year."
A return to Richmond's best 22 could pit Soldo against the likes of adopted Canberran Aaron vandenBerg come finals time, whose Melbourne Demons outfit have been tipped as a chance to break their premiership drought.
Canberra trio Phil Davis, Harry Himmelberg and Jackson Hately could all feature in September for the GWS Giants, while St Kilda's Josh Bruce, Jack Steele and Logan Austin are all looking to help the Saints march to the finals.
