MONTHS of speculation have ended with boom recruit Tom Lynch receiving the all-clear to play his first AFL game for Richmond in Thursday's season-opener against Carlton.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick told reporters the former Gold Coast captain had proved his fitness after undergoing off-season knee surgery.

Lynch had a season-ending operation to repair a posterior cruciate ligament in July, then underwent a further procedure to remove scar tissue in November after arriving at Punt Road as a free agent.

His availability for round one has been a hot topic all summer, a fact not lost on the premiership-winning coach.

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"He's playing, all right? That's it. See you tomorrow," a smiling Hardwick said before making as if to leave the press conference on Wednesday.

"Tom will play his first game for the footy club, which is very exciting for us.

"Our list management team did a great job getting a quality person and quality player to our club, and he'll get his first opportunity to play his role."

While appreciating the buzz Lynch's availability will create, Hardwick was also keen to temper expectations of the 26-year-old forward.

Lynch spent most of the pre-season working on his recovery and will take some time to develop chemistry with forward partner Jack Riewoldt.

"Our medical staff did a terrific job," Hardwick said.

"They spoke about there being a significant turning point and we've seen that over the last two weeks.

"His work rate, his ability to get to contests is starting to get to the level that we know.

"That was the thing that our guys had to tick off, and in fairness Tom had to be confident that he could perform at the level."