Richmond key forward Ben Griffiths has set his sights on a more consistent year in 2017.

Griffiths played 13 senior matches last year, before an ongoing groin issue kept him on the sidelines. 

“The ongoing thing for me is consistency – it’s something I’ll always be working on and it’s something I really want to get better,” Griffiths said.

“Lessen the gap between my good games and my bad games - that’s what I’m working towards.”

Griffiths, 25, is currently working his way back into pre-season training after undergoing a minor procedure to help relieve the groin injury.

“I’m tracking really well and I’m really optimistic about getting back into the main group and the full ground stuff pretty soon,” he said.

The towering forward spoke about the noticeable changes at Richmond ahead of season 2017.

He has a new mentor this year, after former Brisbane senior coach Justin Leppitsch returned to Punt Road Oval.

Leppitsch is in charge of Richmond’s forward line, and Griffiths said the change had already had a positive impact on the playing group.

“He’s created an environment where everyone is encouraged to speak up and it’s a really educating environment,” he said.

“It’s been really good to have that little bit of change and from his experiences as a head coach, he’s got some really good learning tools and he’s been super for the younger guys.”

Griffiths said he also looked to Tigers’ star defender Alex Rance for guidance, as he pushes to establish himself as a key target in the Tigers’ forward line. 

“It’s definitely one thing I try and do, always match up on (Rance) at training,” Griffiths said.

“He’s really good at providing feedback on the ground – telling us what makes him uncomfortable, what he thinks our movements could be to catch the defenders off guard.

“It’s somewhat of a luxury to have him – he’s a good teacher, a good educator and he’s a really good guy to learn off.”