Richmond’s mature-age midfield recruit, Matt Thomas is planning on maximising his football attributes, in an effort to assist his new teammates.

Thomas, who was taken by the Tigers with their third pick in this week’s AFL Rookie Draft, is renowned for his ferocious attack on the football and never-say-die attitude.

The 26-year-old veteran of 87 games in eight seasons with Port Adelaide, isn’t fussed with which specific on-field role Richmond may have in store for him.  He just wants to do what he can, to help out at Tigerland.

“Any position . . . it doesn’t really bother me.  I’m just happy to be a part of the team and get the chance to play some more footy and see where it can go,” Thomas said on SEN’s ‘Morning Glory’.

“There’s going to be a bit of midfield, a bit of half-forward, and there might be a bit of ‘bash-and-crash’ at times, which is the type of footy I like to play.

“So, hopefully, there’s a role in there for me.  With the likes of the midfielders they’ve already got, and the excellent runners, it’ll just be nice to be able to slot in there somewhere and try and help them out and give the ball to ‘Cotch’ (Trent Cotchin) and ‘Lids’ (Brett Deledio).  I’m sure they’ll do something nice with it . . .”

Thomas, who won this year’s Magarey Medal, while playing for SANFL club Norwood, is super-impressed with what he’s seen so far at his new football home.

“They (Richmond) are ultra-professional.  The facilities are just fantastic . . . first-class.  Port had great facilities, too, but Richmond’s are that next level and really impressive.  The field’s even been redone, resurfaced, and it’s those little things that make a huge difference,” he said.

“The people have been really welcoming, too.

“They’re just such a great club, really professional, and they bend over backwards to help you out.  So, it’s really nice to be a part of that group . . .

“I’m really excited to go down to the Tigers, and I’m looking forward to, hopefully, playing some good footy.”