JACK Riewoldt says there is a "buzz" around Dustin Martin as the Richmond superstar attempts to rediscover his best form this season.
Martin is back in full training after recovering from surgery to repair a lacerated kidney, which cut short his 2021 campaign.
The setback came as Richmond missed the finals, prompting critics to call time on the Tigers' dominance after three premierships in the previous four seasons.
But Riewoldt is confident a reinvigorated Richmond can contend once more in 2022, forecasting a tweak to Martin's role that could help spark the revival upon his return.
"He's got a bit of a buzz around him at the moment and I feel like maybe there is a little bit of hunger there to get back to where he was," Riewoldt said.
"The way we use him this year will be interesting as well.
"He's obviously such a talented player and we may push him into the midfield a little bit more to see if we can get that bull from 2017 back again.
"He will give himself the best chance to be the best version of himself.
"I've got full belief in Dustin. He's always taken his game to the next level.
"Whenever I've thought that he might've been at his peak he's been able to go again.
"We look forward to seeing him back out there and I'm sure the fans do too."
Away from football, Martin has mourned the loss of his father Shane, who died in New Zealand in December.
"It's been a really difficult time for Dustin ... and it's probably been amplified by the fact he hasn't been able to go and see (his father) and didn't get to see him before his passing," Riewoldt said.
"As mates, more than anything else, you just rally around your friend and provide the support you can."
The Tigers added fresh faces to their list with five top-30 picks at November's national draft, including first-round selections Josh Gibcus and Tom Brown, and feel they have a point to prove this season.
"There's a real air of excitement around where this group can go," Riewoldt said.
"The pundits out there may write us off and see that 2021 was maybe the start of the downward spiral of the Richmond Football Club, but we feel like we're in a good position.
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"You learn from past experience and from 2018 we were flag favourites and were bundled out in the prelim final, and I remember Kane Lambert speaking about the year of redemption.
"Maybe there is a small feel about that, that there is a chance to stamp our mark on the competition again."
Key forward Tom Lynch is taking a cautious approach to his recovery after a minor hamstring setback last month but is on track to play during the pre-season series.