Richmond’s mature-age forward recruit Sam Lloyd had a significant impact in his return to AFL level, producing a lively performance against Port Adelaide on Sunday.

The 24-year-old, who was playing his first senior game with the Tigers since Round 9, took five marks, applied three tackles, and booted an equal team-high three goals in the side’s 20-point victory.

It was his third bag of three goals in his first season for Richmond, with all of them coming against top-eight teams (three v Collingwood, on debut in Round 4, three v Geelong, Round 7, and now three v Port, Round 17).

Richmond has launched The Alannah and Madeline Foundation membership – find out more

“I thought I went okay.  I focused a lot on forward pressure and I think we did that collectively, as a forward group.  It was good to get on the end of a couple of goals and, hopefully (I can) stay in the side a bit longer,” Lloyd told ‘Roar Vision’ post-match.

“Goals and pressure are my main focus.  Probably, more so pressure, and then that hopefully brings the goals.  So, it’s pleasing that we could do a bit of both.”

Lloyd praised his forward-line teammates for the assistance they had provided him with.

“Jack (Riewoldt) is fantastic for me.  I missed a goal early – a pretty easy one – and then i had another easy one late in the third (quarter).  He came up and said just relax, find somewhere to kick (aim at), and kick it, and it really helped,” Lloyd said.

“His talk and Ty (Vickery) – all the boys down there – their talk and guidance for me has been spot on.

“Even ‘Kingy’ (Jake King), who hasn’t been playing, he’s probably been the No. 1 who’s helping me.”

Lloyd also outlined his aims for the rest of the season.

“To stay in the senior team is definitely my plan, but I also want to play my role and get better every game,” he said.

“So, if I can help the team in any way, and keep getting better myself, then that’s the plan going forward.”

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick was impressed with Lloyd’s comeback display on Sunday.

“He was good.  He’s one of those guys that can manufacture a goal out of not much,” Hardwick said.

“He kicked some goals early doors (this season) . . . he always seems to kick goals against the good sides.

“So he managed to get the job done for us, and he’s only going to get better, too.  He’s had half a pre-season, really.

“We think he’s going to be a good player for us.”