RICHMOND forward Ty Vickery is a confidence player, and coach Damien Hardwick will often say the 25-year-old doesn't know how important he is to the Tigers.
After four straight wins, and six crucial goals across two of those, Vickery might be starting to see the extent to which he can influence matches. Opposition clubs certainly are.
He shapes as the danger man in Friday night's clash against West Coast at the MCG in a three-pronged forward line that features Jack Riewoldt playing further up the field, and Ben Griffiths.
Opposition clubs have paid close attention to the structure and noted how effective it was against Fremantle and Collingwood when the trio was given space to work in isolation.
With that in mind, preventing Vickery from gaining confidence early should be a key for West Coast.
"He's a confidence player and if he's kicking goals early it holds him in good stead for the rest of the game," one opposition scout told AFL.com.au.
"That's like anyone really, but especially for players who haven’t established themselves as bona fide week-to-week footballers.
"If you don't kick those goals early it can filter into you for the rest of the game.
"So if he gets his confidence up early he can kick three or four and be really dangerous."
Vickery kicked three goals in the Tigers' most recent win against Fremantle, including the team's first from a set shot. He went on to ice the game with his third.
His performance against Collingwood in round seven was equally important. Again he kicked the Tigers' first goal and converted a vital set shot in the fourth quarter that gave his team the lead.
The trend is obvious – when Vickery starts well he remains influential through the game.
"That's been his weakness in the past, staying in the game for four quarters," the opposition analyst said.
"But at the moment he's kicking well, so that gives Richmond the confidence to go to him.
"If his confidence is up and he's kicking well then Richmond are going to go to him more."
Vickery started on Michael Johnson against Fremantle before the veteran Docker was injured, and Collingwood sent in-form backman Nathan Brown to him in round seven.
Against West Coast, he could find himself on an undermanned opponent given the Eagles' decimated backline.
His recent form is also a testament to the Tigers' hard line stance on making him earn selection earlier this season when he spent three of the first four weeks in the VFL.
After an early finish to 2014 due to his suspension for punching West Coast ruckman Dean Cox in round 18, it meant he had played one game for the Tigers in 10 matches.
He could easily have been Richmond's forgotten forward, but he has worked his way back into favour and it is working for the 6-4 Tigers.
