Richmond great Matthew Richardson is optimistic about a Tigers resurgence in 2022, even if they miss out on a top-eight spot this season.
His former club has lost four games in a row and sits in 12th position on the ladder, with premiership hopefuls Brisbane and Geelong looming across the next fortnight.
Whilst acknowledging Richmond's current form slump, as well as the diminishing chance of playing finals this season, Richardson still held the belief that the Tigers are capable of bouncing back and making noise next year.
The 13-time leading goalscorer at Tigerland divulged as much on SEN Radio.
"They've been up for a while the Tigers, they've got big injuries at the moment, they've had a loss of form, they've had young players come in who may or may not be ready and then you've got other players around the periphery who have been asked to step up and it's just not within their capability", Richardson told Sportsday.
"So you throw that all together and they're in a form slump, there's no doubt about that.
"But I think other people around the competition are probably more worried about it than Richmond supporters.
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"It's going to be tough for them to play finals this year. If they lose this week to a very good team in Brisbane it looks probably a little bit hard from there, but I've got no doubt they can get away, have a rest and bounce back and be a finals contender next year.
"They've won three premierships in four years. You can't be up there forever and they're having a bit of a slump".
Captain Trent Cotchin has been lambasted for his form in recent weeks, with coach Damien Hardwick suggesting the skipper could potentially benefit from a week off.
Richardson identified the club's decimated midfield -- Dion Prestia, Kane Lambert and Shane Edwards all remain out due to injury -- and the need for Cotchin to guide the younger, inexperienced players.
"They probably need him out there at the moment. They've got so many midfielders out", he said.
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"Clearly he's not at his best and you can't be every week. I'm not aware of him carrying an injury, but the cattle just aren't out there in the midfield at the moment and that's the problem".
There is hope that Lambert and Edwards could return this week for Richmond's crucial clash against Brisbane, as well as sorely-missed ruck Toby Nankervis.