The Role of Ruckmen in the Richmond System: Nankervis & Soldo

For many AFL clubs, the ruckman is a primary weapon: a towering figure whose primary function is to win the hitout and give his midfield first use. At the Richmond Football Club during its dynasty era, the philosophy was different. Under Damien Hardwick, the role of the ruckman was fundamentally re-engineered from a luxury to a necessity, from a specialist to a system player. The success of Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo wasn’t measured in hitout dominance, but in pressure acts, ground-level contests, and selfless structural work. This guide delves into how the Yellow and Black transformed ruckwork into a critical pillar of their prestige, proving that in the Richmond system, a tap is only as good as the tackle that follows.

The Richmond Ruck Philosophy: A System Over a Specialist

When analyzing the Richmond Football Club’s tactical evolution, it’s crucial to understand that every position was subservient to the overarching system. The chaotic, pressure-based game plan demanded specific, often unconventional, attributes from each player. For ruckmen, this meant a radical departure from tradition.

Hardwick’s vision moved away from the archetypal, immobile ruck giant. Instead, he prioritized:
Relentless Pressure: A ruckman’s primary defensive duty was to become a second midfielder at ground level, applying tackles, smothers, and harassing opposition ball carriers.
Contest Over Clean Wins: Neutralizing the opposition ruck was often deemed more valuable than winning hitouts outright. The focus was on turning the ruck duel into a 50/50 ground ball—a scenario where Richmond’s swarm of smaller midfielders like Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, and Dion Prestia thrived.
Structural Integrity: In defence, the ruckman was an extra body in the hole, helping to shield Alex Rance and his successors. In attack, they were tasked with creating a contest to bring the ball to ground for the famed small forward fleet, rather than marking as a primary target like Jack Riewoldt.

This philosophy was a perfect fit for the personnel. Nankervis, acquired from Sydney, was a bull-at-a-gate competitor. Soldo, a project rookie, brought immense physicality and a team-first mindset. Neither was the league’s most skilled tap ruckman, but both became masters of the Richmond method.

Nankervis: The Heartbeat of the Chaos

Toby Nankervis didn’t just play the Richmond system; he embodied it. His arrival in 2017 was a catalyst, providing the hardened edge the midfield brigade needed. “Nank” became the prototype for the modern Richmond ruckman.

The Defensive Enforcer

Nankervis’s value skyrocketed when the ball hit the deck. His tackling was ferocious, often setting the tone for the midfield’s pressure rating. He hunted opposition midfielders with the intent of a defensive forward, a trait that made him indispensable in big games. In the 2017 AFL Grand Final, his physical presence and willingness to crash bodies was a key factor in unsettling Adelaide’s more fancied midfield.

The Unheralded Link Man

Beyond the grit, Nankervis developed a shrewd football IQ. He mastered the short, sharp handball out of congestion to a runner like Bachar Houli or Dion Prestia. He also became adept at the “nullifying” hitout—directing the ball to a contested pack rather than to a clean teammate, trusting the system to win the ensuing scramble. His leadership grew to the point where he became a vice-captain, the on-field steward of Richmond’s uncompromising style.

Soldo: The Structural Pillar and Enabler

While Nankervis was the heartbeat, Ivan Soldo was the skeleton—providing crucial structural support that allowed the system to function at its peak, particularly during the 2019 premiership run.

The Twin-Tower Dynamic

Soldo’s emergence enabled a potent two-ruck strategy. His sheer size (203cm) allowed him to shoulder the primary tap-work duties against the league’s giants, which in turn liberated Nankervis. With Soldo contesting the centre bounce, Nankervis could drift forward as a deep, physical target or rest in the goal square, creating mismatches and adding another layer to Richmond’s attack. This flexibility was a nightmare for opponents to match up on.

A Finals Performer

Soldo’s finest hour came in the 2019 AFL Grand Final against Greater Western Sydney. With Nankervis carrying an injury, Soldo stepped up magnificently. He not only broke even in the ruck against a quality opponent but was immense around the ground with 15 disposals, 6 tackles, and 23 hitouts. His performance was a testament to the “next man up” mentality and proved the system could elevate role players to premiership heroes. His injury in 2020 was a significant blow, underscoring his importance to the structure that completed the three-peat.

Synergy with the Midfield: Feeding the Sharks

The relationship between Richmond’s rucks and its midfield was symbiotic, built on a foundation of trust rather than statistical dominance.

The 50/50 Mentality: Martin, Cotchin, and Prestia didn’t expect silver-service hitouts. They prepared for a contest. The ruckman’s job was to turn the aerial duel into a ground ball scrimmage—a scenario where Richmond’s midfield, trained extensively at Punt Road Oval in tight-space warfare, held a distinct advantage.
Creating Chaos from Structure: Even when a hitout was won cleanly, it was often directed to a dangerous, congested area rather than to space. This played directly into the hands of Richmond’s defensive setup, forcing the opposition to dispose of the ball under immediate pressure, often leading to the turnovers that ignited their lethal counter-attacks.
The Extra Body: In defensive midfield setups, the ruckman would drop back as an additional barrier, making it exceedingly difficult for teams to exit cleanly from stoppages. This directly supported the team’s renowned implementing defensive 50 exit strategy by adding congestion at the source.

The Ruckman in Richmond’s Defensive Scheme

A hallmark of Richmond’s dynasty era was its team-wide defence, and the ruckmen were deployed as key tactical pieces.

The Defensive 50 Shield: When the ball entered Richmond’s defensive 50, the ruckman would often zone off his direct opponent to become an intercepting or spoiling presence in the corridor. This acted as a crucial second line of defence behind the back six, cutting off the most dangerous Richmond’s corridor use vs boundary entries that opponents sought.
The Pressue Valve: After a behind was scored, the ruckman would frequently take the kick-in. With their long kicking ability, they could bypass the initial press and launch the ball deep into the wing, initiating Richmond’s fast-break chain. This role required composure and execution under the intense pressure of finals at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Evolution & Adaptation: Sustaining Success

The role did not remain static. As opponents studied Richmond’s methods, Hardwick and his ruckmen adapted.

The 2020 Hub Season: The unique conditions of the 2020 premiership season, with shorter quarters and congested fixtures, saw Richmond rely more heavily on Nankervis as a solo ruck. His endurance and toughness reached new levels, playing a Herculean minutes share and proving the system could thrive even with a depleted ruck division.
Skill Development: While pressure remained non-negotiable, both Nankervis and Soldo worked diligently to improve their tap craft. As the midfield evolved post-2020, more precise hitouts to moving targets like Shai Bolton became a valuable addition to their arsenal, showing the system could incorporate skill without sacrificing grit.

Practical Lessons from the Richmond Ruck Model

For coaches and students of the game, the Richmond ruck model offers several key takeaways:

1. Define the Role by the System: Don’t fit a system to your ruckman; fit your ruckman to the system. Identify the 2-3 non-negotiable actions (e.g., tackles, contest creation) that are more valuable than hitout wins.


2. Value Versatility Over Purity: A ruckman who can impact forward of centre or as a defensive spacer provides immense tactical flexibility, allowing for in-game adjustments.


3. Build Midfield Trust: Coach the midfield to thrive on chaos, not just clean possession. A ruck contest is just the first act; winning the next phase is the play.


4. Prioritize Durability and Toughness: In a high-pressure system, the ruckman will absorb immense physical punishment. Mental and physical resilience is a primary selection criterion.

Conclusion: The Unselfish Engine Room

The legacy of Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo in the Richmond Football Club’s golden era is that of the ultimate system players. They were the unselfish engine room of a machine built on pressure and chaos. Their success redefined the parameters of the ruck position in the modern AFL, proving that impact is measured in more ways than hitout statistics. They provided the gritty, physical foundation upon which the stars like Martin, Riewoldt, and Cotchin could shine brightest on the grandest stages. In the Yellow and Black dynasty, the ruckman wasn’t a soloist; he was the crucial rhythm section in the hardest, loudest band in the competition.

Want to dive deeper into the tactical blueprint that powered a dynasty? Explore our complete guide to Richmond's game style and tactics to understand how every piece fit together to create a modern powerhouse.