Respected football commentator David King believes talented teenager Connor Menadue has an important role to play in Richmond’s line-up this season.

The dual North Melbourne premiership player and former Richmond assistant coach was particularly impressed with the form displayed by the speedy, skilful 19-year-old throughout the NAB Challenge series and sees him as a good replacement for Carlton recruit Chris Yarran, who will miss the opening weeks of the 2016 season following plantar fasciitis surgery.

Menadue, taken by the Tigers with their second pick (No. 33 overall) in the 2014 National Draft, played five senior games during his debut season of league football last year.

“Richmond, I think, have had a big win . . . They’ve got a kid called Connor Menadue, who I think has forced his way into the team,” King said on SEN.

“He’s exactly what they need – an elite kick, who averaged 13 touches in his opportunities last year.

“But in the (2016) NAB Challenge, it was 21 kicks (per game) at 81 per cent, and he goes for high-risk kicks.

“Now with Yarran going out, he’s one player they need to stand up and really play a major part in their 18.”

King also regards Richmond’s hard-nosed midfield recruit from Greater Western Sydney, Jacob Townsend, as a lock for the Tigers’ senior side.

“(He’s) Very tough,” King said of the 22-year-old, who played 28 games in four years with the Giants.

“Look, there’s not a lot of polish there – it’s all grunt and all aggression.

“I like the fact that he’s a big body in there.

“He doesn’t have to be a star, he just has to play his minutes at the bounces and around the clearances to allow (Shane) Edwards to play forward.

“He’s going to be a long-term player for them.”