Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is convinced mature-age recruit Ricky Petterd can become a valuable long-term contributor at Tigerland.

Petterd, who was taken by the Tigers in the AFL rookie draft late last year, following his delisting by Melbourne, has made an impressive start to life at his new football home.

The 24-year-old veteran of 54 games in six seasons of league football has reinvented himself as a rebounding half-back, after playing predominantly in attack during his time with the Demons.

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He drifted forward to boot a match-winning supergoal for Richmond in its second round pre-season competition match against Essendon at Wangaratta last Saturday evening, to further underline his X-factor capabilities.

“Ricky was good, although a little bit quieter compared to last week,” Hardwick said.

“He can compete in the air, he’s tough over the ball, he laid a couple of crunching tackles and then, to see him finish with a goal, it was pleasing for him.

“Look, he’s still got a little way to go to learn our system, but we certainly think we’ve picked up a player that can contribute.

“He played his early career at Melbourne at half-back, and that’s probably where we think he played his best footy.

“He reads the play well, he’s terrific overhead, he’s brave and he uses the ball well.

“He’s a little bit awkward with his kicking style – your heart’s in your mouth – but it gets from A to B, which is good.”