Powerful forward Mykelti Lefau will make his AFL debut for Richmond on Sunday, just 34 days after joining the club's senior list.

The 26-year-old former rugby league player has been named on the Tigers' interchange for their clash against Port Adelaide at the MCG.

Lefau has started the season in excellent fashion, impressing during pre-season training and coming off a two-goal effort in the first half of the Tigers' VFL practice match against Carlton's reserves last weekend.

Richmond's VFL coach Steven Morris said that the big man deserved his opportunity after being in 'outstanding form'.

"He's bringing his training form to games and competing really well in the air," Morris said.

"But also putting pressure on at ground level – he kicked a beautiful snap goal in the first half."

The 195cm forward was elevated from the Tigers' VFL program just before the 2024 season as part of the AFL's Pre-Season Supplementary Selection Period.

He was born in New Zealand before moving to Melbourne in 2012 and securing a position as a member of Melbourne Storm's development squad.

While playing in the U19s for St Kilda City, he made headlines after he booted an incredible 25 goals in a single game.

Lefau would go on to earn a contract at VFL club Casey Demons and feature a handful of times at senior level before returning to local football once the pandemic hit.

He has represented New Zealand against the Australian Institute of Sport on two occasions and has been described by the Tigers as an impressive athlete that can play all over the game.

Lefau has played 17 VFL games for the Tigers across the past two seasons where he has stood out with his ferocious tackling.

The mobile big man averaged just under 10 tackles per game across his last month of football in the VFL in 2023, including a 16-disposal 10-tackle two-goal performance against Port Melbourne in Round 21.