GROIN surgery late last year for Richmond key forward Ben Griffiths means he is yet to return to full training.

It was an issue that forced Griffiths to miss four of the final five games of 2016.

The upcoming season looms as a critical one for Griffiths. He will likely be the permanent replacement for Ty Vickery as the side's second marking target, behind Jack Riewoldt. 

Vickery left for Hawthorn as a restricted free agent and while he was often maligned, he averaged close to two goals a game over the past three years. 

"I had a little bit of a setback at the start of pre-season but I'm slowly integrating back into the main group," Griffiths told richmondfc.com.au. 

"I had an ongoing groin problem towards the end of the season last year and then we ended up deciding to go in for an adductor release, just to release the pressure from the area and off the adductor tendon. 

"It's very minor and I've just been progressing from then. I'm really optimistic about getting back into the main group and the full ground stuff pretty soon." 

Griffiths lined up in 13 games last season and has never played more than 16 in a year. 

Despite Vickery's departure, Griffiths predicted he would play a similar role.

"I'll still be a key forward target that pinch-hits in the ruck," he said.

"I don't mind floating through the ruck at stages. It's a pretty good role to lock down, which is why I'm so eager to get back into the main group. Then we've got guys like 'Nank' (Toby Nankervis) who's come in and is training really well."

However, the big man said he needed to improve to help the side. Richmond finished 13th last year after three consecutive finals appearances and was the fourth-lowest scoring team in the competition. 

"The ongoing thing for me is consistency. It's something I'll always be working on and something I really want to get better," he said.

Griffiths said the Tigers could change their forward set-up to cater for Vickery's absence. 

"It opens up a door for more hybrid types. We've got young Callum Moore coming through. He's been training really well and he's that mid-sized role," he said.

Moore, 20, was listed at 193cm and played the final two games of last season.

The Tigers kick off their pre-season campaign on Friday, February 24, against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.