Emerging key forward Mykelti Lefau has urged AFL clubs to explore the untapped potential of athletes with Pacific Islands backgrounds in a bid to uncover new talent.
Lefau is part of a Richmond delegation headed this week to Samoa - the country of his heritage - seeking to spread the word of his journey to the sport's top tier.
The group will showcase the club and AFL to a new audience, visiting schools and conducting football clinics.
Or, as Lefau puts it, leaving a "Tiger footprint" in Polynesia.
"This is going to be massive just to let them know that you can do whatever you want," Lefau told reporters at Richmond's Punt Road base on Friday.
"You don't have to sort of fit the (stereotype) over in Samoa, which most assume would be rugby.
"We just have so much potential in this sport (Australian Rules) because you can play any size, any ability.
"If you just work at it you can eventually make it."
Lefau was born in New Zealand with a Samoan father and will visit the village his grandparents call home for the first time.
The 26-year-old is one of five Richmond players recovering from serious knee injuries - along with Josh Gibcus, Tylar Young, Taj Hotton and Judson Clarke - who are part of the travelling party.
The group will visit sporting organisations and speak to locals who are interested learning more about AFL coaching.
"I can't believe we're actually going," Lefau said.
"It's such a massive opportunity and I'm just so grateful to the club for coming up with the idea."
Lefau, who previously spent time in NRL club Melbourne Storm's development pathway, signed a rookie deal with Richmond last year and played 10 games in his debut season.
But he has been sidelined since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in June.
Lefau had previously suffered the same injury in his left knee - while playing in the VFL in 2022 - and believes he is on track to return mid-season.
"You can just never take anything for granted," Lefau said.
"I was riding that rollercoaster at the top and just came straight back down.
"I've learnt resilience and I learnt that in the first ACL that I'd done, that's for sure.
"It just keeps me honest to just make sure I never skip a beat and always stay prepared."
Lefau, who kicked 25 goals in single game with amateur side St Kilda City's U19s team in 2016, has no doubt he will be stronger for his experience on the sidelines.
"I came back from my first ACL better, so I know I can come back better the second time," he said.
