Hard-running defender Nathan Broad has made impressive progress since being recalled to Richmond’s senior side a month ago.

The Tigers’ mature-age recruit, from WAFL club Swan Districts, averages 15 disposals and four marks per match in the five games he’s played at AFL level this year after overcoming a long-term shoulder injury, which he suffered early in the season.

Broad, 24, finished with an AFL career-high 19 disposals and seven marks against Geelong at Simonds Stadium last Saturday. Four of those seven grabs were intercept marks, which was the most by any player on the field.

He had seven intercepts all-up and gained 318 metres overall in a display that underlined the advancement he’s made at the game’s highest level during the past few weeks.