Richmond goalkicking great Matthew Richardson says Jack Riewoldt can only improve after having a successful season in 2011 despite carrying injuries.

Riewoldt has resumed full training in the past fortnight following hip, finger and ankle surgeries.

Richardson says he has full confidence Riewoldt can have a huge year in the 2012 AFL season.

“No doubt. I don’t think people realised the extent of his problems last year,” Richardson told AAP on Thursday.

“I certainly didn’t know.

“To have all those surgeries at the end of the year, it showed you how good a player that he is because he still managed to kick 62 goals which not many guys can do.

“He has only just got into pre-season. It might take him a few weeks to get going but he’s a very good player, 140 goals in two years and having had those injuries.

“He’s still got his best years ahead of him so I’m expecting he’ll have a pretty solid year again.”

Riewoldt, 23, has played 57 consecutive games for the Tigers dating back to round 10 2009.

Richardson said tall forward Ty Vickery’s 36-goal effort in 2011 showed the Tigers had a strong combination with their marking targets.

“They were reasonably happy with their forward line last year,” said Richardson, who was Richmond’s leading goalkicker a record 13 times before retiring in 2009.

“Ty Vickery really came on in leaps and bounds. The midfield has got some real quality players in there now.”

Richardson said some luck with injuries would allow the Tigers to improve their defence.

“The thing about their backline last year, they just couldn’t get a consistent back six together,” Richardson said.

“David Astbury went down and Dylan Grimes went down, two young guys who they wanted to play down there a lot.

“If they get those guys back out there fit and healthy and get some continuity into their back six, that’s going to help them a lot.”

Richardson said the Tigers, with 15th and 12th placings in Damien Hardwick’s first two years as coach, were capable of claiming a spot in the top eight.

“It’s no secret they’re aiming to play finals,” Richardson said.

“They’ve had gradual improvement in the last 24 months. If they get that again this year, they certainly should be knocking on the door.”

The Tigers haven’t played a finals game since 2001.

Richmond play Hawthorn and North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on February 17 in the opening round of the pre-season cup.