RICHMOND is the reigning premier, first on the ladder with a nine per cent buffer over second place.

And with the return of Dion Prestia for Thursday night's top-of-the-table clash with Sydney, the Tigers have the potential to be even better.

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Prestia has played only four games in 2018, but statistics show Richmond is a better side with the aggressive onballer on the field.

A hamstring injury suffered in the pre-season kept him out until round four; before his latest setback, a calf injury, saw him sidelined for seven weeks.

But when the 25-year-old played, the Tigers were much more effective around the ball, an area they have struggled with (particularly clearances, where they average only above St Kilda) this year.

It is form carried over from 2017, when Prestia had the third-highest average clearances and contested possessions for the club, behind only Brownlow medallists Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin.

Getting the hard ball

Prestia's absence has seen Reece Conca and youngster Jack Graham spend much more time on the ball.

Although the pair have been solid, they often require more support from captain Cotchin and Martin than Prestia.

Impact on the stars

Richmond was desperate to lure Prestia to Punt Road, giving Gold Coast pick six in 2016 (which was then used on Jack Scrimshaw), after the Victorian had played 95 games for the Suns.

An integral cog in the midfield, Prestia's presence allows star ball-users like Cotchin and Martin to spend more time causing chaos up forward.

He also has the ability to play a run-with role if an opponent is running rampant, last year holding Brisbane gun Dayne Zorko to just 11 disposals while having 19 himself.

After Prestia's first game for the club – Richmond's first-round win against Carlton in 2017 – coach Damien Hardwick foreshadowed the importance the inside bull was going to have on the forward half as a whole.

"We probably haven't been afforded that luxury [of playing Cotchin and Martin forward], ever since the loss of (Shane) Tuck and (Daniel) Jackson (in 2013 and 2014)," Hardwick said.

"All of a sudden, you bring in those two quality players (Prestia and Josh Caddy), it allows Dusty and Trent to play a bit more time forward.

"It increases our potency and takes the reliance off Jack (Riewoldt) a little bit."

When Prestia has played this season, there's been an obvious difference in the way Richmond structures its forward line.

Percentage of time spent up forward in 2018

*Cotchin missed round seven with a knee injury

In the period Prestia played, Martin kicked seven of his 17 goals for this season (although six came in one match against the struggling Brisbane) and Cotchin kicked one out of a season tally of three.

Average Goal Assists in 2018

*Cotchin missed round 7 with a knee injury

Although the duo's goal assist numbers don't change much whether Prestia is playing or not, when they play forward they draw high-calibre defenders away from teammates like Daniel Butler, Jason Castagna and Josh Caddy.

Others get rewards

*Castagna missed rounds 10 and 11 with knee soreness

With Prestia and key defender David Astbury re-joining the side this week after recovering from injury, it leaves just Bachar Houli (groin), and Jacob Townsend and Kamdyn McIntosh (both dropped) out of the premiership 22.

After a seven-week absence, Hardwick said he is looking forward to seeing what damage Prestia can do.

"He's such a vital player … I can't wait to have him back."