MARK Coughlan is once again on the comeback trail after a stellar performance for Coburg on the weekend.

Coughlan, who has had two knee reconstructions and been to Germany for hamstring treatment, was playing his first game since he again injured his knee before the NAB Cup.

The 26-year-old was set to play in Richmond’s NAB Cup match against Fremantle but the cartilage injury and subsequent surgery put him back several weeks.

Richmond football manager Ross Monaghan said the weekend’s run was terrific.

“His first game was on Sunday, the last practice game for Coburg before VFL round one starts this weekend,” Monaghan told richmondfc.com.au on Tuesday.

“They played against Casey Scorpions out at Casey Fields and it was a really big step forward for him because he hasn’t played for awhile.

“He had plenty of touches, laid 10 tackles and the best thing about it was he recovered really well, so it was really pleasing, not only from a playing point-of-view but also because his body got through it just fine.”

Not surprisingly, Monaghan said the 2003 best-and-fairest winner was more than happy with his weekend’s work.

“He’s really buoyant about the fact that he’s out there – he’s just happy to finally get out there and have a game.

“His summer training was fantastic and he was all set to play but he’s just had one setback after another, so to get out there and play a full game like he did on the weekend and have a practice match before round one of the VFL is a great step ahead for him.”

Several other Tigers were good on the day in both the firsts and the seconds, including two who are yet to play for Richmond.

“Adam Thomson had a really good game – Thommo’s just been held up a little bit with a sternum issue in the last week or so, but he was in terrific form on the weekend.

“And Jayden Post was good after half time – he spent the first half in the backline and the second half on the wing and was in some good form.

“We’re just really pleased with what he showed on the weekend – we’ve got a lot of time for him and we were pleased with what he did.”