RICHMOND vice-captain Jack Riewoldt says the club "built its game style" around Daniel Rioli last season, emphasising the youngster's importance as he returns from a foot injury.

Rioli has been named in Richmond's extended squad to face Geelong this Sunday, having not featured in the senior team since breaking his foot in the final term of last year's Grand Final.

The 21-year-old underwent back-to-back surgeries as a result of the injury, but has made it through a handful of VFL matches unscathed in order to prove his fitness.

He has been named on an extended bench for this weekend's huge clash with the Cats, with Riewoldt highlighting the significance of his return.

View the team selection for Round 13 v Geelong

"We nearly built our game style around Daniel Rioli which, for a 20-year-old kid at the time, is a credit to him and the way he plays the game," Riewoldt told RSN927.

"He's an integral part of our side and we certainly have been missing him.

"We've got those 'Three Amigos' down there together with (Jason) Castagna and (Dan) Butler for the first time this year, hopefully. I know Daniel is on the extended bench, but I'd expect that he'd be right up there on the weekend to play.

"The thing with Daniel is that he's got electrifying pace, but what he's also got is an amazing ability to cover the ground.

"He's one of our best long-distance runners. That's a weapon that we haven't had for the first half of this season, but one that we're really excited to get back into our side this Sunday."

Rioli featured in every game of Richmond's premiership season last year and kicked 25 goals.