Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt has been a man of few words this AFL season.
So when the larger-than-life figure addressed the Tigers' form woes, woeful 2-6 record and crumbling confidence on Wednesday, it was always going to be worth listening.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick, captain Trent Cotchin and vice-captain Brett Deledio all said they were stumped when asked recently about the reasons behind the side's slump.
Riewoldt, putting a self-imposed media ban on hold, was more frank when discussing the Tigers' downward spiral since last year's finals series.
"Unfortunately, we went one way with our game, and the game went the other way really," Riewoldt said.
"We probably tried to copy Hawthorn a little bit too much with our kicking style.
"We probably need to rely a little bit more on natural progression, which I think we'll get back to. Actually, I know we'll get back to."
Riewoldt, who admitted his own form had not been up to scratch, said that momentum could still work its magic as the 16th-placed Tigers prepare for a crunch clash with 17th-placed GWS in Sydney.
"We don't have any momentum. There's a lot of guys who are down on self-confidence," he said.
"We need to find a way to get that back, get the momentum back and get our season up and rolling.
"I certainly find it frustrating that we're not winning.
"It's not through lack of effort, and it's not through lack of trying new things."
Giants ruckman Shane Mumford, who will return this weekend from knee surgery, said Richmond's poor start to the season was the last thing on his mind.
"We don't focus on them at all. We'll focus on what we can do," Mumford said.
GWS coach Leon Cameron, who ended his playing career with four seasons at the Tigers, was likewise taciturn.
"They're going to come out really hard - one of their favourite sons is playing their 200th game," he said of Deledio's milestone.
"They would be expecting to be higher up the ladder, but we can't worry about them."
Mumford has been out since round three, while GWS on-baller Adam Treloar, key forward Jeremy Cameron and defender Curtly Hampton have overcome injuries and are also set to bolster the expansion club.
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