While Richmond eagerly awaits Tom Lynch’s imminent return to the senior side, there is another power forward who will be welcomed back into the Tigers line-up with open arms.

Mykelti Lefau had a significant impact in his debut season of AFL football last year after being selected by Richmond as a rookie during the Supplemental Selection Period.

The strongly-built former rugby league player kicked 14 goals in 10 games, before rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and being sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Richmond coach Adem Yze spoke of the value to the team of Lefau and Lynch on the latest episode of the Club’s Talking Tigers podcast.

“You start to realise how important they are when they’re not out there. We get that sense when Lynchy’s not there. You understand how important this guy is for us. He straightens us up, he creates a contest,” Yze said.

“And then, when Lynchy wasn’t there, ‘Kelts’ was doing that . . . playing high-level AFL football, which was really impressive for a guy from an SSP position, getting picked up in the pre-season.

“We can’t wat to have him out there.

“He’s actually joining in training, and he’s not far from full training.

“He’s a powerful man and I think he’s recovering a lot quicker than a couple of the others, based on that.

“He’s a focal point and he can play second ruck . . . He might be able to balance us out as well.

“Having those big power forwards is really important to the way that we want to play.”