Dan Butler's path to his AFL debut on Thursday night came with challenges and dark times that made him question whether he was good enough to be on an AFL list.

The Richmond half-forward has battled for two seasons to earn his first game, with repeated knee injuries in 2015 setting him back 12 months.

But after spending last year in the VFL, the 20-year-old has bolted from the blue this pre-season to demand selection in the Tigers' blockbuster season opener against the Blues.

"It's been a long time coming … there were a few times where I was kind of in a dark place and questioned whether I was good enough to be here," Butler told AFL.com.au. 

"Form wasn't going my way but I kept working hard and results came my way.

"I've put in a fair bit of hard work the past year and it's paid off. It's a very exciting time for me and my family, and I can't wait. I'm pretty pumped for it."

Butler's knee injuries in 2015 kept him sidelined for the first 16 rounds, returning late in the year to play four VFL games before undergoing cleanout surgery.

He returned in 2016 and showed pace and goal sense, playing under VFL coach Craig McRae, who was "a major reason" why he was now debuting at the top level.  

When it became clear in his third pre-season that the Tigers were putting a premium on speed and defensive pressure in attack, he was quick to recognise there could be a place for him in Richmond's 22. 

"That's one of my strengths and definitely one of the main reasons why I was able to make the team," Butler said.

"It's been one of our major focuses over the pre-season, that pressure and contested footy, and it's something we really want to pride ourselves on.

"During the JLT Series (I played) that high half-forward role, putting on pressure and trying to get on the end of a few.

"It was a good chance for me to show what I can do off the back of a few months of solid hard work."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is backing Butler to have an impact in tonight’s season-opener.

“He’s been ultra-impressive . . . He was probably at the crossroads last year, about midway through the year, and really put his head down and worked incredibly hard on his game,” Hardwick said.

“In fairness to the kid, he hadn’t had a pre-season for the two previous years he’d been here.  He’s now completed a full pre-season.

“He’s got a wonderful turn of speed, wins the ball, and is a goalkicker as well.

“His ability to cover ground, from an offensive and defensive perspective, is really a highlight of his, and it certainly adds to our team dynamics . . .

“We’re looking forward to seeing how that goes tonight.

“It’s going to be a big occasion for him, but we certainly think he’s up to the task.”