Richmond premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis kicked the winning goal in a star turn during his VFL return from injury to push for a place in the Tigers AFL side to take on Brisbane.

Nankervis finished with a team-high 22 possessions, 33 hitouts and the pivotal final goal in the dying seconds as Richmond came from 40 points down at three quarter-time to stun Essendon by two points in their qualifying final at Punt Road Oval on Saturday.

He was only supposed to be getting some match fitness in his first game since round 21 of the AFL season when he suffered a recurrence of an adductor injury that kept him out for 11 games.

But apparently no one told him that, the 25-year-old warming into the game to eventually be the matchwinner despite being limited to about 70 per cent of the game time.

“If you know Nank, he’s just that super competitor,” Tigers VFL coach Craig McRae said.

“When the game was on the line, he thought ‘I’ll make a difference’.

“He’s just a guy who rises to the top when the pressure’s on and at this level it was a real feature and a stand out.”

Nankervis kicked the winner from a set shot after he was taken high in a ruck contest about 35m out from goal.

It was a different story in the first quarter when a rusty Nankervis looked like he’d struggle to feature in the AFL finals series if it went for two months.

He had one possession at the first break and didn’t look to be moving at all well across the ground.

But while he finished the game strongly, McRae said the club would have a better feel for his availability for Saturday night’s qualifying final against the Lions at the Gabba on Monday.

“It all depends on how he pulls up,” McRae said.

“He’s played three VFL games so far this year and he’s pulled up quite sore from them so we’ll wait and see on that.”

Noah Balta was unable to build his case for selection after he was withdrawn with a corked thigh, but Mabior Chol was eye-catching with 14 possessions, two goals and 13 hitouts switching between ruck and attack.

Marlion Pickett impressed with 21 touches, two goals and a courageous mark going back with the flight into an oncoming pack.

Jacob Townsend finished with 13 touches and a goal, but was reported in the second quarter for a dangerous tackle on Jake Long, Connor Menadue had 20 disposals and two goals and Ryan Garthwaite a rock in defence.

David Myers led the way for the Bombers with 36 disposals, while Michael Hartley booted three goals and had 11 hitouts in a forward-ruck role.