With Richmond effectively out of finals contention by July, Markov became a regular in the second-half of last season, playing eight consecutive games from his debut in round 16, and was praised for his poise.

But 2017 presents a new set of challenges for the South Australian, who believes that he while he has been improving over the pre-season, he is not assuming he will be in Richmond's best 22.

"I feel I was quite gifted with a few games last year due to injury," Markov said in Maroochydore, where the Tigers are this week conducting a pre-season camp.

"It's no excuse to drop off now. I've still got to establish a spot, I'm still no certainty and the way the boys are training now, anyone could play round one."

With Jack Riewoldt back in full training following post-season finger and ankle surgeries, and off-season recruit Dion Prestia close to joining in full duties following knee surgery last year while at Gold Coast, the Tigers have a relatively fit squad with one month to go until their first pre-season match against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.

Gun defender Alex Rance was on light duties at training on Monday in Queensland but the Tigers said he was fit and was having his workload managed.  Meanwhile, Markov said 2016 draftee Jack Graham has a minor hamstring complaint.

Markov has generally been in close proximity to Rance in training, and said he had learnt plenty from the three-time All-Australian, as well as from the club's other defenders. "As backmen we spend a lot of time together," Markov said.

"We've got a very strong bond. It's not just Rancey, it's David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, even the run from Brandon Ellis and Taylor Hunt. You can learn something of all of them, and they're always willing to stand up and tell ya where you can get better and where you were wrong before."