Jason Porplyzia couldn’t have picked a better time to put in his best performance of the season.

Under pressure to perform both individually in his 100th game and as part of the team that lost in disappointing fashion to North Melbourne, Porplyzia sparked Adelaide with several desperate acts against Richmond.

His mark and subsequent goal in the third quarter was arguably the highlight of the game. He had no right to mark the ball, running back with the flight and sustaining heavy contact from opponents and teammates alike to take the ball on his chest.

Another moment later in the third quarter caught assistant coach Mark Bickley’s eye.

Click the play button above to watch Porps' masterclass against the Tigers

“There was an absolute highlight when he dived in, put his left hand on top of the ball, rolled over and took the footy as clean as a whistle in a slippery game. It happened right in front of the coach’s box and it was just awesome,” Bickley told FIVEaa.

“He was really able to impose himself on the game more so in the third quarter when the game was up for grabs. He took that great mark and just did a few things that really set the team alight.”

Porplyzia finished the match with a season-high 23 possessions - his best return in a game since round nine, 2008 - as well as an equal-team high three contested marks, two clearances, two goals and one goal assist.

The 27-year-old’s form had been gradually building since his return from a serious shoulder injury in round one, but it was vintage Porplyzia on display at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

“Porps hadn’t been in sparkling touch and I think everyone will admit that, so it was good he was able to play the way he did in his 100th game,” Bickley said.

“He’s really missed a season-and-a-half of footy at a time when the game has gone forward enormously. We’ve been happy his form has been building and on Saturday it was just the mark of a man in a big occasion.

“He was pretty disappointed with some of his efforts against the Kangaroos and needed to respond, and at a time when the Club really needed it as well. It was fantastic for him.”