Battling personal issues, the 19-year-old returned home to Alice Springs at the beginning of November last year, with the club unsure whether he would return.
After an absence of three weeks, Taylor returned to the club and since then has impressed coach Damien Hardwick and earned a spot in Friday night's clash with the Indigenous All-Stars.
"He had a couple of things he needed to sort out," Hardwick said on Thursday morning from Punt Road Oval.
"We're more than confident that he'll be right and put himself in a good place to hopefully make a game in round one.
"He's had a terrific pre-season and he's been very, very impressive in the games he's had with us thus far."
Despite falling behind the rest of the group in fitness, Hardwick was confident Taylor would be able to catch up in time for the start of the home and away season and was making positive steps towards adapting to the demands of AFL life.
"The one thing we like is that he's really settled at the moment," Hardwick said.
"It does take some players, indigenous or not, time to settle into a new environment, but he's in a really good spot at the moment and we're really happy with the way he's going."
In more good news for the Tigers, injury-plagued midfielder Nathan Foley is in full training after battling a recurring ankle injury over the past season and a half.
Foley managed only four games in 2010 and while he won't play in Richmond's first NAB Cup game, he is likely to join the side for the second clash.
"He has played barely any footy for the last two years and we really look forward to welcoming Nathan back," Hardwick said.
"He's such a quality player, part of our leadership group and a guy we're expecting huge things of this year."
The Tigers expect to have nearly a full list available for its pre-season hit outs, with Daniel Jackson the only real injury concern with hamstring tendonitis.
