Former Queanbeyan Tiger Ivan Soldo is poised to make a major return from injury in 2022, after Richmond opted to let ruckman Mabior Chol go to the Gold Coast Suns last month.
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And the 25-year-old has a major ally in his corner, with club legend Matthew Richardson convinced Soldo would only improve on an AFL career which already includes a premiership medal, despite playing just 36 career games.
Soldo missed all of 2021 after suffering a horror knee injury in round 17 of 2020, during which he ruptured his anterior and medial ligaments.
His recovery remains on track, and the 204cm giant is eyeing off a pre-Christmas return to contact training before resuming his place in the Tigers' best 22.
With Chol's departure to the Suns, Soldo is now Toby Nankervis's clear-cut backup in the ruck and Richardson tipped the returning big man to surprise the league next year.
"He's a forgotten man outside of Richmond," Richardson told the Tigers website.
"Working in the media, it staggered me that he was barely mentioned whenever the team's injury list was discussed throughout the season.
"In 2019 and 2020, until he suffered his knee injury, he played some really good football. He was an important member of the 2019 premiership team.
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"Soldo complements Toby Nankervis really well in the Tigers' ruck set-up.
"Nank is terrific around the ground and with his follow-up work, while Soldo's strength is at the centre bounces and stoppages through his ability to win hit-outs and provide the team's mids with first use.
"He's got a big body, good aggression and is a tough competitor."
Soldo won a premiership in just his 22nd AFL match, as part of the Richmond side that dismantled GWS in the 2019 decider.
"Soldo's also a popular clubman and, importantly, has a lot more upside to his football career," Richardson said.
"You've got to remember that he didn't grow up playing the game - basketball and soccer were his sports of choice.
"At 25 years of age, Soldo has played only 36 AFL games and probably wouldn't have played 100 games of Australian Football all-up yet.
"So, as he continues to develop his ruck craft, I think he's going to provide Richmond with plenty of value."
Chol played 31 matches in six seasons with the Tigers, but was never part of the final 22 during the club's 2017, 2019 and 2020 premierships.
Gold Coast will give Richmond an end of round two draft pick in exchange for the South Sudanese-born 24-year-old.
Meanwhile, three-time Norm Smith Medalist Dustin Martin remains on track to be ready for preseason training after surgery earlier this year to repair a lacerated kidney.
A slimmed down Martin has slowly eased his way back into gentle training according to the club's head of football performance, Tim Livingstone.
"He's just slowly getting into it, and we'll build up over the next month or so," Livingstone told Melbourne radio last week.
Martin's injury capped a forgettable season for Richmond, who missed finals after winning three of the last four premierships.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
