TYRONE Vickery is set for "a very big 2015" after putting the disappointment of being left out of last year's finals team behind him, says his forward line colleague Jack Riewoldt.

Vickery didn't play again last season after serving a four-match ban handed down in round 18 for striking West Coast's Dean Cox.

While Riewoldt, Vickery and fellow tall Ben Griffiths had played together at times during the season, coach Damien Hardwick decided on a two-pronged attack in round 23 and the elimination final against Port Adelaide.

Riewoldt said Vickery had responded to being overlooked for the last two games by training strongly this summer and putting himself in a solid position to reclaim his spot.

"[His attitude] has been very good, very good. He's training extremely hard," Riewoldt said on Thursday.

"He was very unlucky to have not been playing those last couple of games when his suspension finished, but unfortunately when you're winning games it's hard to change a winning side.

"He's set himself up for a very big 2015 and he's going to be a very important piece of the puzzle for our football club.

"I expect goals from him, I expect him to play his role in the ruck and most importantly I expect him to play his role for the side."

Riewoldt was speaking at Elsternwick McDonald's. The fast food chain was announced as a new four-year partner of the AFL, with naming rights to the AFL 9s competition.

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt at an AFL 9s promotion on Thursday. Picture: AFL Media

The star forward said there was no reason why the Tigers couldn't play three talls in attack, and believed there were others pressing for a place including newcomer Reece McKenzie and the highly-touted Liam McBean.

"We certainly can [play together]. We've got some selection headaches down there with young Liam McBean training very well at the moment as well," he said.

"Training and games are a different thing, so I'm really excited to see those guys when the pre-season trials come around and a few of the intra-clubs.

"It's going to be great for the Tigers' faithful to see some young key forwards hopefully showing what they've got."

In May last year Riewoldt irked Hardwick by talking about how the Tigers' game plan was failing to stand up following their round nine loss to Melbourne.

Riewoldt memorably said the Tigers "went one way with our game and the game went the other", and claimed they had unsuccessfully tried to copy Hawthorn's renowned kicking game too much.

Hardwick said at the time the club was disappointed with Riewoldt's comments.

Riewoldt said his relationship with his coach had remained strong despite the hiccup last season and it had been a one-off occurrence for which he took responsibility.

"I wouldn't say it's been a bumpy ride; I'd say there was a small blip and that was on my behalf," he said.

"The coach and I obviously have a very good working, professional relationship and we're very good friends off the field as well.

"It's the great thing about our football club, that our culture is breeding characters that are very strong whether they be players or coaches." 

Riewoldt also imposed a brief media ban on himself in February last year after he didn't like the way his attitude had been portrayed after missing out on being in the Tigers' leadership group.

He said he wasn't being distracted by such things this year.

"I'm solely focused on playing footy at the moment," he said.

"I'm just trying to put my best foot forward in pre-season and really set myself for a good 2015, which can hopefully lead the Tigers in the right direction."