Richmond key defender Troy Chaplin will reach the AFL’s 150-game milestone when he lines up against Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday.

Chaplin, 27, played 140 games for Port Adelaide before joining the Tigers as a restricted free agent in October last year.

He has provided Richmond’s backline with valuable experience, composure, height and strength in nine games so far this season.

A valiant 22-disposal, 13-mark display by Chaplin in the Round 9 Dreamtime loss to Essendon, prompted Tiger coach Damien Hardwick to sing his praises post-match.

“He’s a very good player, and he’s only going to get better,” Hardwick said.

“People forget he had a really injury-interrupted pre-season as well, so it does take a little bit of time to come in . . .”

Chaplin was a member of Port Adelaide’s losing Grand Final side in 2007 and finished second in the Power’s 2010 Best and Fairest award, averaging 18.8 disposals per match throughout that season.