Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has described Dustin Martin's year to date as "outstanding" and has likened his star midfielder to Brownlow Medal favourite Patrick Dangerfield.
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Martin, who is now arguably the hardest player to tackle in the league, has been in career-best form this season, averaging a personal best 26 disposals per game along with 10 contested possessions.
Hardwick has put the 24-year-old's improvement down to maturity as well as elevated fitness levels and contested ball work.
"Those sort of players, Patty Dangerfield is probably a little bit the same, those guys can take the ball, take the hit and then deliver the ball," Hardwick said at Punt Road Oval on Thursday.
"It's not only his contested-possession numbers that are important, it's also the metres gained ... those sort of players are invaluable, really.
"He's played predominantly forward/mid, now he's probably playing a lot more midfield.
"I've been really impressed with his work rate and his ability to win contested ball. We sort of knew it would come and we're really pleased that it's come to the fore at the moment.
"When we needed him to stand up when (captain) Trent (Cotchin) was out (with a cheekbone injury), he did that which is a sign of his maturity level as a player."
Having won consecutive games for the first time this season, after making a 1-6 start, Hardwick felt that the tide was turning for his side, especially now that he had close to a full list of players to choose from.
A win over Essendon this week could see the Tigers get within a game of the top eight.
"We probably always knew the tide would turn, that confidence in our players and the ability to play the game would improve," Hardwick said.
"It's probably taken a little bit longer than we would have liked but we're still not playing quite to a level of expectation that I'd like but we're certainly on the improve.
"We're starting to get our list in some pretty good shape ... competition for spots is fierce.
"We're in a good place at the moment which is important."
Hardwick confirmed emerging star Daniel Rioli would return for the Dreamtime at the 'G clash with Essendon on Saturday night after sitting out last week's win over Fremantle due to a family illness.
The Richmond boss described the week leading into the Indigenous round as "special".
"I was very fortunate to play with a lot of Indigenous players but what I've learned over the course of my time is the amazing spiritual level of the Indigenous boys, the culture that they bring and the customs that they're about as an Indigenous race is something I wasn't really taught at school," he said.
"But once you get to know the players, it's incredible the things that they've done ... it's a special occasion and we're very fortunate to be on the podium, so to speak, with this great game."
Hardwick intimated that Corey Ellis and Reece Conca were in the mix to return to the senior line-up but Ivan Maric would probably have to bide his time in the VFL with Shaun Hampson in good form.
