Richmond midfielder Anthony Miles is focused on building his fitness base as he returns from minor shoulder surgery.

Miles played five senior matches for Richmond in 2017 and dominated for the Tigers at VFL level, taking out the Guinane Medal at season's end for the best and fairest player in Richmond's VFL side.

The 25-year-old required shoulder surgery at the end of last year and is edging closer to a return to full training.

“We’ve probably had a bit of a contested theme throughout pre-season and doing contested work,” Miles said.

“I’m still not in full contact after getting shoulder surgery at the end of the year.

“Not being able to be a part of contested drills has probably allowed me to work on my running more so than what I had been able to in the past.

“The fitness staff and the conditioning staff have been great in helping me to do that and even just a couple of odd extra conditioning sessions where we can fit them in.

"Enjoying whatever the year brings is probably my goal at the moment and continually just trying to get the best out of myself, wherever that be playing.

“As I said I’d love to be playing AFL footy, and I know the competition for spots if going to be tight, so (I'm) continually giving myself the best chance to be playing.”

Miles said the playing group had benefited from a six-day pre-season training camp on the Sunshine Coast.

The camp included two main training sessions, strength work, as well as team bonding activities.

“The beauty about this pre-season is that there hasn’t been a really different feel. If anything, I think we’ve probably gotten closer than last year, which is fantastic,” Miles said. 

“I think that’s probably one of the main elements of camps like this - guys come out of their shell a bit more I think, you’re spending every minute of every day together.”