RICHMOND might have to take a half step back this season as it tinkers with its line-up in the hope of ultimately going two steps forward, coach Damien Hardwick says.
Speaking after Richmond's 36-point loss to Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Hardwick told reporters Richmond had been trialling players in different positions in 2016's first three rounds knowing it had been "found short" in the past three finals series.
Five talking points: Richmond v Adelaide
Hardwick acknowledged it was disappointing Richmond, who slumped to 1-2 after Saturday's loss, had made another slow start to the season.
But the Tigers coach stressed the club was "very confident" it was heading in the right direction.
"This side isn't the same as last year. We are trialling some blokes in some different positions. We might have to take a little half step back to go two steps forward, but I'm very confident we will take the two steps forward," Hardwick said.
"(Kamdyn) McIntosh down back, I think we've found a player. We probably hoped to get a little bit more out of a couple of other guys today.
"This isn't the same side. There is the general core around there, (but) we are just adding some pieces around that puzzle at the moment which we feel will take us forward.
"It hasn't worked out at the moment but we're very confident that we'll get the desired result."
WATCH: Damien Hardwick's full post-match press conference
Hardwick was in a measured mood after the loss, speaking openly to reporters about the Tigers' skill execution failings in the opening three rounds of the season and their hopes of turning that around soon.
The coach's openness was in distinct contrast with the club's approach to the media in the rooms after the game, with radio and print journalists refused access to the players.
The ban on post-match player interviews – Fox Footy was the only media organisation given access – was extremely unusual, with most reporters struggling to recall a similar incidence.
The Tigers now face one of football's toughest challenges with their next match against West Coast at Perth's Domain Stadium, the degree of difficulty increased by a six-day turnaround.
However, Richmond has a good recent record against the Eagles in Perth, having won their past two clashes there, the most recent in 2014.
Hardwick said the opportunity to travel as a team next week would be a "godsend" for his team.
"We give ourselves every chance versus the Eagles over there. Funnily enough, it's a bit of a godsend really," the Tigers coach said.
"Our players get to go away as a unit. They get to consolidate what we learn over the course of the week and they get to put it into a six-day turnaround.
"We couldn't ask for anything better to be perfectly honest."
The Tigers have been plagued by injuries to key players in the opening rounds of this season.
Forward Brett Deledio (quadriceps) and ruckman Ivan Maric (back) are yet to play this year.
Hardwick said Maric would play about 80 minutes of game time in the VFL on Sunday and suggested he was some chance of returning against West Coast alongside fellow ruckman Shaun Hampson.
But Hardwick said Deledio was only a "slim" chance of taking on the Eagles.
"He did kick the big ball today, which is a little bit exciting for us," Hardwick said, referring to Deledio's tailored rehab program where he had been limited to kicking child-size footballs.
