Star Richmond recruit Tom Lynch has given the strongest indication yet he will take part in the Tigers' home-and-away opener after moving freely and joining full training on Thursday.

The 26-year-old had posterior cruciate ligament surgery on a knee last July and had a follow-up operation four months later, which has restricted his pre-season.

With the dawn of a new season against Carlton at the MCG just two weeks away, Lynch impressed in the 30 minutes media were allowed to watch training.

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The key forward took to Punt Road Oval before anyone else, and appeared to be working on his ability to come to a complete stop.

Then as the group filtered out, he worked on his spring with the man he's set to form perhaps the competition's deadliest one-two combination with, Jack Riewoldt.

The Tigers then drilled their team defensive structure and how they would move the ball once winning it back, against minimal opposition.

His teammates roared with delight when Lynch led out and marked, but were disappointed when his shot didn't go through.

Lynch won't play against Hawthorn on Saturday night, but could take part in a VFL practice match before the season starts.

The former Gold Coast co-captain sits on a similar timeline to fellow forward threats Josh Caddy and Jason Castagna, who are battling ankle complaints.

Once back playing, Lynch is an option to relieve Toby Nankervis in the ruck, with Shaun Grigg unlikely to continue that role considering the new 6-6-6 rules disadvantage smaller back-ups.

Leppitsch, however, explained why that might not happen.

"Centre bounce is always the danger with ruckmen, particularly with a PCL. As we know, it doesn't lend itself to doing centre bounces, with that knee-on-knee contact," Leppitsch said.

"Around the ground is more like any other body position contact, so I wouldn't think that's an issue.

"It's more the running he'll do in the ruck and whether that'll blow him up to play forward. That's more our concern, more than the physical stuff around the ground."

Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin is set to face the Hawks on Saturday night after hyperextending his right knee against Melbourne last Sunday, but finishing the game.

"He wants to play. Good luck trying to talk about resting with Dusty, he won't have any of it. We expect him to train well and play this week," Leppitsch said.

Grigg appeared on the track, but did very little.

"He's had some ups and downs, he's had an interrupted pre-season. It hasn't been the perfect prep for 'Grigga'," Leppitsch said.

"Probably unlikely to start the season, the way it's going. We're really taking a cautious approach with him."

Saturday's clash with Hawthorn will be revealing in determining who replaces him as the second ruckman.

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Athletic forward Noah Balta shot into contention with a superb performance against the Demons and is battling with the more traditional ruck option Ivan Soldo for a spot.

"It depends what type you want – do you want a more around-the-ground player plus a second ruck, or just a flat-out ruck?" Leppitsch said.

"We're a bit confused on that one still ourselves, so this week will probably tell the story."

Tough nut Jacob Townsend also trained in a sign he has overcome his thigh issue.