Exciting first-year forward Daniel Rioli is expected to slot straight back into the Richmond lineup for Saturday night's Dreamtime at the `G clash against Essendon.
The rising AFL indigenous star missed last weekend's big win over Fremantle after flying home to Darwin to attend to a personal matter.
The 19-year-old returned to Melbourne on Monday evening and is set to earn a recall and bolster the Tigers' attack.
Rioli has exceeded expectations in his first year at AFL level after being selected by the Tigers with pick 15 in the 2015 national draft.
He debuted in round one and held his spot in the senior team throughout the opening seven rounds, kicking six goals in the process.
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Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin expected Rioli to play in the feature match of the AFL's indigenous round as the Tigers push for a third straight win.
"It's obviously a special night for everyone but in particular for the indigenous guys," said Cotchin, who returned from two weeks out with a fractured cheekbone to earn best-afield honours against the Dockers last weekend.
"Daniel obviously brings a lot to our team.
"We love what he offers from a speed and pressure point of view."
Rioli is the great nephew of Richmond's best-ever indigenous player, the late Maurice Rioli.
Fellow teenager Corey Ellis could also return for Richmond after being rested against the Dockers.
The Tigers have got their stuttering season back on track with successive wins against Sydney and Fremantle and will start as short-priced favourites against the makeshift Bombers.
Essendon have lost seven games on the trot, although they charged home against unbeaten North Melbourne in round eight before coming up short by 14 points.
"The reality is that they've got AFL-talented players who are playing to a structure that they've obviously trained over the whole pre-season," said Cotchin.
"I know from experience that it takes time to make sure that the consistency of that structure is working but the reality is that they're a really capable AFL football team and they've taken it up to some of the great sides this season."
