THE UNTAPPED talent that is Richard Tambling is about to receive a wax and polish and Adelaide is hoping retired club great Andrew McLeod is the man to revitalise the career of the former Tiger.

The Crows gave up two draft picks (one end-of-round compensation and one third-round pick) to secure Tambling in the AFL exchange period last October.

The 24-year-old played 108 games for the Tigers, but suffered constant comparisons to Hawthorn's brilliant forward Lance Franklin, who was taken after Tambling (the fourth pick) in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft.

Tambling sought the assistance of a psychologist to help him deal with the weight of expectation from the Richmond faithful - which he believed was having a negative impact on his football - but failed to live up to his billing as a top-five draft pick.

After six years at Punt Road, Tambling struggled for a regular AFL game in 2010, prompting his decision to seek greener pastures at the end of the season.

McLeod, who called an end to his decorated 340-game career in August, will be Tambling's mentor as the new Crow adjusts to life at his second AFL club.

And McLeod said Tambling would benefit from a better support network at Adelaide.

"It’s a bit of a fresh start for Richie. He’s been hammered a fair bit with the comparisons [to Franklin] all the time and that’s got to weigh on your mind," McLeod said.

"I had a chat to him the other day and told him he wouldn’t be able to hide from the media and that he’ll be exposed to it every day just because it’s Adelaide and [because of] how mad we are about footy.

"But, I think with the environment he’s come into at the Adelaide footy club they’ll be able to help him deal with that probably a lot better than what he was used to."

McLeod is working as a community engagement and talent coordinator with the AFL’s indigenous foundation, but said he was keen to stay involved with the club where he’d spent half of his life.

"Adelaide is my club and always will be, so if I can help out in any way, shape or form I’m going to do that," he said.

"I’ve sat down a couple of times with Richie just to have a chat. I’ve offered to be a sounding board for him because playing AFL footy is pretty tough. Having been involved in the AFL for 16 years, hopefully I can pass on some of my experiences to him.

"I’ve just offered my help if he needs it and that goes for any of the guys at the Crows and they know that."

Tambling had a slow start to his first pre-season at West Lakes because of post-season groin and knee surgery, but graduated to full training prior to Christmas.

He struggled to find his niche during his time at Richmond, but McLeod said he expected the skilful ball-winner to take his spot at half-back this season.

"The way Richie plays…he carries the ball and breaks the lines and it’s important to have those guys in your team, especially creating run from half-back and pushing into the midfield," McLeod said.

"He’s got a bit of speed, so if he can use his speed to break down some of these zones it’ll be handy."