RICHMOND plans to embrace renewed expectations after finally snapping its opening-round losing streak.

After five years of losses to Carlton, the Tigers finally broke through at the MCG on Thursday night, holding off a final-term comeback to clinch a five-point win.

Tigers defender Steven Morris said the side was now eagerly anticipating winnable games over the next two rounds against St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs.

"It's certainly an opportunity to start the season off in a good fashion but we're not going to get ahead of ourselves," Morris said.

"We really embraced round one and we'll embrace the big games that are coming up."

He said the opening-round win had created a different, positive mindset at the club for the first time in years.

"The last few seasons we've been chasing our tail a little bit so it's good to be able to finally be ahead of the ledger and hopefully we can take that form into the next few games," Morris said.

"One thing is that confidence is a massive thing and if we can take that and belief in our own ability to match it with the best teams and start the season off on a good note, that augurs well for the rest of the season."

Richmond managed to stave off the fast-finishing Blues 14.22 (106) to 14.17 (101) in front of 80,971 fans, winning courtesy of three missed Carlton shots for goal in the dying minutes.

Richmond dominated the first half to lead by 38 points at the main break and still led by 36 points at the last change and Morris admitted the Tigers ran out of steam in the final term.