Tiger Ivan gets his ‘wow’ moment

THE most inexperienced member of the Richmond side, Ivan Soldo had to take a deep breath when the final siren sounded last Friday and the realisation sunk in that he would be playing in an AFL grand final.

“As soon as the siren went, I didn’t get emotional but I just went, ‘Wow’,” Soldo said. “I feel really excited about it.”

A long-term project player for the Tigers, the 204cm ruckman was signed as a category-B rookie in 2014, having been a promising junior basketballer.

He played his first-ever football game for under-18 side Northern Knights in front of a modest crowd in Morwell in July 2014, aged 18. Just over five years and 21 AFL games on, Soldo is set to line up for Richmond in the big dance at the MCG on Saturday in front of 100,000 fans.

“Soldo’s really, really grown as a player,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

“He’s playing in a grand final. I shake my head, but he’s been an incredible player for us, that kid.”

Soldo had played just eight senior games before this season, including only one in 2018. During pre-season, he was still considered some way off playing regular senior football for the Tigers, but has featured in all but one AFL game he has been available for since Round 9 — including two winning finals.

“I’ve got a pretty good track record — 100 per cent at the moment. So the stats look good,” Soldo said of his finals record.

“I’m really good at being in the right place at the right time. A lot of luck goes my way. But I thank Dimma for the opportunity. I’ve got this far, so I’m just grateful for this opportunity.”

Soldo logged 23 hit-outs, 10 disposals, three intercept marks and five tackles against Geelong in Friday night’s preliminary final, working in tandem with fellow Tigers ruckman Toby Nankervis against Rhys Stanley.

“Toby’s a premiership ruckman and it’s good to see Dimma have faith in me to be the second ruck or vice-versa,” Soldo said.

“Toby can play forward, so it’s another string to our bow.

“I think Dimma just has more faith in Toby. I’m happy that I kept my spot.”