RICHMOND premiership forward Daniel Rioli could potentially return to the AFL stage under the lights of Adelaide Oval next Friday night if he performs in a full VFL game on Sunday. 

The electric Tiger has now played two VFL games since returning from the badly broken foot he suffered in last year's Grand Final – his most recent game at AFL level.

He is expected to progress from three-quarters of a game to a full hit-out this Sunday against Collingwood at Olympic Park.

From there, the 21-year-old could conceivably come into consideration for the Tigers' Friday night clash with Port Adelaide the following week if his form warrants selection.

"He's been getting through games, which is good," teammate Dan Butler told Macquarie Sports Radio on Tuesday.

"I think he'll play a full game this weekend in the VFL against Collingwood, and then from there it will be up to 'Dimma' (coach Damien Hardwick) and the other coaches as to whether he comes back in or not."

Rioli was last year the Tigers' leading tackler inside 50 with 33 for the season, from Butler and Jason Castagna (32 each), and took the fifth-most marks inside the attacking arc.

The Tigers have been blessed by a small injury list until recently, but have started to show the natural wear and tear of the season, Bachar Houli (groin) the latest to be struck down by a medium-term complaint.

Houli – and Dion Prestia (calf) – will be unavailable until after the Tigers' round 14 bye.

For Rioli, opportunities in the forward line could come up sooner rather than later with Castagna (knee) only rated a chance for this week's clash with Essendon, first-year forward Jack Higgins under pressure to keep his spot and Jacob Townsend currently out of the side.

Earlier this month, he held an optimistic goal of playing in Saturday night's Dreamtime at the 'G clash.

"He's obviously had the limited preparation, but the last two months he's been training at high intensity and now he's playing footy," Richmond's physical performance manager Peter Burge told the club's website.

"So, he'll progress to a full game this week, and we'll see where that takes us."

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