Don't let the hamstring setbacks or soft-tissue concerns of recent times cloud your memory – Dion Prestia remains a huge cog in Richmond's hopes this season.

The gun midfielder was as good as anyone on the ground in last Saturday night's victory over the Western Bulldogs, returning from his slight hamstring concern to have 30 disposals and a goal in Richmond's strong win.

Prestia could have played in Round 3, but the Tigers took a cautious approach with their star, and his impact upon being back was big.

If he can stay fit for the rest of the season the complexion of Richmond's midfield looks very different. 

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick knows full well just how influential Prestia is within the Yellow and Black line-up.

“I hope people realise what a special player he is . . . He’s wonderful at what he does,” Hardwick said.

“We’ve missed him.

“We were pleased with the tough blocks of training that he’s had. So, although it was an injury to his hamstring, it was probably one that we felt reasonably comfortable with because there’s a lot of work he’s done.

“He had his best pre-season. We’ve put him under stress to make sure he can stand the rigours of an AFL season.

“If push came to shove last week, we could have pushed him to play, but we just wanted to make sure we get him right.

“We can see how special he is and how important he is to us.”