The slimmed-down version of reigning Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt is set for a big 2011 AFL season and will spend more time up the ground.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick couldn't hide his delight on Wednesday at seeing the 195cm key forward among the leading runners in time trials at the Tan Track.

Riewoldt had finger surgery following his 78-goal season and has returned in excellent shape.

"Yeah he's great. He's dropped about three or four kilograms," Hardwick told reporters at Melbourne's Botanic Gardens.

"He's down to about 90 now which is great.

"He probably got a little bit heavy towards the end of last year.

"The way the game is probably going to go this year, we'd like to see him a bit more up the ground.

"His running today was outstanding. He finished in the top four or five in the 500-metre test which is great."

Midfielder Matt White led the field around the 3.87km Tan Track in 13 minutes and 12 seconds with former Bomber Bachar Houli second.

"We've got to improve, there's no doubt about that," Hardwick said.

"We finished 15th on the ladder so we've got a hell of a lot of hard work to go.

"We've got to improve in every facet of our game."

The second-year coach said he was excited to see how the new substitute rule would work, suggesting it could lead to more elite midfielders rotating through the forward-line.

In the 2011 AFL home-and-away season, all clubs will field three interchange players and one substitute, with the sub able to be used at any time and the player he replaces not eligible to return to the field.

"Andrew Browne, one of our rucks, after the rule came in he sent me a rest-in-peace thing for the second ruckman," Hardwick said.

"We've got some time to trial it which is great, that's what the (pre-season) NAB Cup is for.

"We'll see what works best for us, whether it's an impact player off the bench or another runner.

"We're going to see probably more midfielders push forward which will be great, to see the better players on the ground for longer.

"We'll see how it goes. Hopefully it's a positive impact for our game."

Hardwick said Nathan Foley (leg) and Trent Cotchin (Achilles) were among those set to resume full training later in January.

"We're never going to rush Nathan," Hardwick said.

"We've just got to persevere and take some time with him."

Foley was leading the club's best and fairest count before suffering an ankle injury in round 14, 2009 and played only four games last year.

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