The burst of heavy rain at Punt Road Oval couldn't dampen the spirits of rejuvenated Richmond recruits Bachar Houli and Brad Miller.

Houli had a much-publicised falling out with Essendon during the 2010 season.

By the time he had a meeting with new Essendon coach James Hird, Houli had already made up his mind to head to Richmond, who took him with pick No.3 in Tuesday's AFL pre-season draft.

Houli, 22, told Melbourne radio overnight he was "very upset" by his lack of opportunities at Essendon last season.

However the midfielder was more upbeat on Wednesday, saying he had a positive relationship with former Bombers coach Matthew Knights.

"I had a chat with James Hird. It was basically after I've made up my mind I wanted to secure my career at Richmond," Houli said at a press conference on Wednesday.

"We had a little chat about how I fitted into his team. But I had already made up my mind and I respected James Hird as a great and I heard what he had to say.

"I never had an argument with Matthew Knights.

"He was very, very supportive. People might assume there was something going between me and Matthew but our relationship was awesome.

"... Four years in the system, it feels like I've started all over again (at Richmond). A fresh start, it's definitely what I needed.

"For me now, I really want to concentrate on my future.

"You always want to play for one club but now things have happened and the opportunity has opened up here at Tigerland."

Ex-Demon Miller has high hopes to add to his tally of 133 AFL games but admits his main role with Richmond will be to mentor their young group of forwards led by Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt.

Taken as a mature-age rookie, Miller had been training with the Tigers for six weeks before this week's draft and he was confident he would find a new home at Punt Road.

The 27-year-old said he jumped at the chance Richmond had offered to him to extend his career and he waskeen to repay the club's faith.

"To look back, it's just going to offer more hurdles. I'm just going to look forward," Miller said.

"I know I've got the skills and the ability to make it at this level."

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