RICHMOND has spent plenty of time this off-season working to avoid another up and down year.

It's an area that needed attention, where on the one hand the Tigers could match it with eventual grand finalists Sydney and Hawthorn only to come up short against lowly ranked teams.

New captain Trent Cotchin has told richmondfc.com.au the players think they're past it.

"It's probably a little bit of maturity in one sense, but also the situational stuff so just moments in games where we drop a simple mark that we'd normally take," Cotchin said.

"When they do arise in a game this season hopefully we know exactly what's required from each individual and you've got to play your role in that case."

"We know what's required. Last year we had a lot of games where we just let ourselves down for a small amount of time," Cotchin said. 

"We beat both the grand final contenders, so our best footy is up there with the rest of them, it's just making sure we bridge that gap between our worst footy."

Cotchin is relishing his increased responsibilities, and said he'll continue to work closely with former skipper Chris Newman. 

"I don't think too much changes, obviously there's that little bit more added pressure game day, and then you've got to make decisions each and every day around the club," he said.