Doug Wade is arguably one of the game's greatest forwards, with 1057 goals to his name, across a decorated career with Geelong and North Melbourne.

But when asked what his proudest moment of his time in Australian Rules Football is, he'll tell you it's all to do with his grandson and Richmond's own, Luke Trainor.

"The best thing that happened was him going to Richmond. He just loves it and he's a great kid," Wade told Richmond Media.

"He is so lucky to be at Richmond. There's just a feeling when you come in the place."

Now, 18 Rounds in, the 19-year-old defender has become a Rising Star nominee and played in every game since his Round 1 debut against Carlton, which Wade attended with pride.

Yet, it's no surprise for Wade, who is a four-time Coleman medallist, that his grandson has been consistently improving and earning his jumper.

"I'm his grandfather so I'm biased, but he was so deserving of getting the nomination," he said.

"I'm very happy and so is my whole family. I know with Luke, it's a new life for everybody from being a young kid who just wanted to play footy to now living his dream."

Wade, who played 208 games with the Cats and 59 with the Roos for two premierships, four Coleman medals and 14 Geelong and North Melbourne leading goal kicking awards, also has fond memories of Richmond, but for opposite reasons to Trainor.

"I kicked a few goals against Richmond, I can tell you," he laughed.

"I think I kicked 11 one day against Richmond at the MCG."

And he was right. Back in 1972, Wade kicked 11.2 for Geelong in their 76-point defeat of the Tigers at the MCG, a far cry from the game of the modern era.

But he's happy to put those memories aside when it comes to the present, admitting he, friends and family have all become Richmond fans, simply because of Trainor.

"There's hundreds and hundreds of people I know have gone over to (support) Richmond, because of Luke," Wade said.

"I was with my mate Eric Leech (former Richmond player) and he thinks the world of Luke. There's a lot of people down here (in Geelong) that adore Luke.

"I have 11 grandkids and now I think every one of the Wades secretly follow Richmond."

Wade knows why it's been so easy to support Richmond, not just because Trainor is pulling on the jumper each week. It's a culture within the Swinburne Centre that has already been noticed away from the football field.

"The oldest player (Nick Vlastuin) takes the youngest, Luke, out for a surf. I wouldn't know any other Club who would do that," he said.