First-year Tiger Troy Chaplin is jumping out of his skin for the start of pre-season training.

Chaplin, who joined Richmond this time last year as a restricted free agent, following a 140-game career at Port Adelaide, wants to build on the gains he made during a successful 2013 debut season with the Tigers, which saw him finish third in the Jack Dyer Medal.

And, he’s confident he can be even better in 2014, with a full pre-season under his belt.

“This year was about starting to find your feet and grow a little bit.  I missed most of pre-season (recovering from a knee injury), so I’m really looking forward to it,” Chaplin told ‘Roar Vision’.

“I’m back first day of pre-season this year, have had no surgery, so can’t wait to get back into it and, hopefully, build on the year I’ve had.”

Chaplin couldn’t be happier with the way he’d been received at his new football home . . .

“Obviously, when you come to a new club, you’re a little bit apprehensive at first, but the Club’s been fantastic with me,” he said.

“They’ve really welcomed me with open arms – right from the playing group, to admin. staff, to the supporters as well.

“It’s just been a fantastic first year and I really can’t wait for next year getting underway.”