Richmond will welcome the return of key forward Tom Lynch for Saturday's matchup with St Kilda following his one-game suspension, while another Tigers draftee is "itching" to feature in the yellow and black after an injury-hit start to his career.
Lynch will slot back into Adem Yze's attacking third after a one-game ban for rough conduct, with his absence in Round 2 allowing Harry Armstrong, Liam Fawcett and Jacob Bauer the chance to lead the forward line.
The Tigers veteran was with the group that travelled to South Australia to face the Power, with Lynch utilised as a mentor for the club's younger crop of forwards.
Having served his suspension, the premiership forward is raring to go after a week out of action.
"He can't wait to get out there. It was really good for him to travel with the group as well," Yze said on Wednesday.
"He was really important for Harry, Liam and Jacob Bauer. So to have him there to support our younger boys and help them respond was really good.
"It was great that he could sit up in the box and listen to me swear a few times. That leadership still shone through, even though he wasn't out on the field.
"We can't wait to get him back out there."
The Tigers will be forced into at least one change, with young flanker Sam Banks the sole confirmed out for Yze due to concussion.
Fringe midfield pair Tyler Sonsie and Kane McAuliffe could come into the senior side after dominant VFL outings over the weekend, while draftee Jasper Alger is another who has impressed over the pre-season.
First-round selection Luke Trainor didn't join the main group at Wednesday's session, with the Tigers to settle on their side by the day's end.
Fellow first-year Tiger Josh Smillie, who was taken with Pick 7 in last November's draft, is nearing his first game for Richmond after overcoming a hamstring injury in his maiden pre-season.
While Yze couldn't rule out a Round 3 debut against the Saints, the Tigers coach confirmed Smillie would be coming through the VFL before he gets his first look at top-level football.
The "itching" teenager could play in the VFL this week or next, with Yze wanting the big-bodied midfielder to be primed for his first game in the near future.
"We're going to plan through today's session, see how he feels and whether we take a cautious approach and look for the following week," Yze said.
"We just want to make sure that when he's ready to play and go out and dominate. He's itching, but we might have to pull the reins in a little bit. We'll know more later this afternoon, but if it's not this week, it will be next week.
"We've got to manage him. (Straight into the AFL) is a big task for a young kid. He will need to play some footy first. He hasn't played for a little while. He'll go through the VFL program at least one game, get in touch, and then we'll see how he goes.
"But he's got to warrant selection. We've got a lot of players (pressing their case), and we've just got to have selection integrity.
"He'll go through that process. He's a young kid. If it's not next week, it might be the week after. When he comes in, we want him to be in really good form and warrant that selection."
Richmond face St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with both clubs entering the game with one win and one loss to their records.
