Derek Peardon played just 20 injury-riddled games at Richmond from 1968-71 and is not a big fan of the modern game, but has watched this year with greater interest.

The 68-year-old, who AFL great Kevin Sheedy counts as one of the most influential figures at the Tigers, believes Tarryn Thomas will be the best indigenous player yet to come out of the state.

North Melbourne drafted Thomas at pick eight last year as part of Tasmania's Next Generation Academy.

The North Launceston star prodigy already has played 12 out of a possible 16 games since debuting in round 2.

Peardon, who also played five seasons at City South that included two old NTFA premierships and a competition best and fairest award, was taken aback by how far Thomas has come.

"I have watched a fair bit of young Tarryn," Peardon said.

"He first played the grand final three years ago at North.

"I was there watching that and he was good then. It's good to see him in the AFL.

"He's such a good footballer - he's quick, he's agile, he gets around and gets a goal or two. So, yeah, I think he has a pretty good future."

Caretaker coach Rhyce Shaw remarked that Thomas is the calmest teen the former 237-game defender has seen coming straight into his rookie year.

Peardon tends to agree.

"There's not much of him, but he's got speed and he's a thinker of the game," he said.

"You do wonder what's he going to do next."

The ex-Prospect High student is the eighth known VFL/AFL indigenous player recruited from Tasmania.

The first was Graeme Lee, the half-forward flanker in Launceston's team of the century, who turned out 16 times for St Kilda in 1961-62.

Melbourne-turned-West Coast rover Andy Lovell has been the longest serving with 164 matches from 1988-98.

Kieran Lovell, who has returned to TSL club Tigers, appeared twice in 2016 before Hawthorn delisted him.

Others include Fremantle tall Alex Pearce, who has 53 games in six years, one-time teammate Brady Grey with 21 games in five and ex-Bulldog and current Blue Liam Jones, who has 120 matches.