RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has backed full-forward Jack Riewoldt to return to form as questions build about the performance of the Tigers' tall forwards.

Riewoldt has kicked six goals from four matches, while Brad Miller has kicked seven (including four against Collingwood) and Tyrone Vickery has kicked three.

Miller has been in reasonable form, presenting upfield, but Riewoldt and Vickery have been well down on their best.

Questions have been asked about whether Richmond would be better off playing two tall forwards rather than three.

Hardwick said Riewoldt would return to form if he works hard, especially on chasing and tackling.

"He can play better," Hardwick said. "He's just got to get the little things right and the big things will come.

"I've got no doubt he'll get there. He's just got to relax.

"Sometimes you can try too hard."

In 2010, a season in which Richmond finished 15th of the 16 clubs, Riewoldt kicked 78 goals and won the Coleman Medal and the club best-and-fairest award.

Last year he kicked 62 goals and won the club goalkicking award.

"The goals will come," Hardwick said.

"He's averaging four shots at goal a game.

"He kicked 1.1 on the weekend and two out on the full. The previous week he kicked 1.3 and two on the full.

"He's just got to get his kicking boots on."

Hardwick said Tigers selectors have thought about dropping one of the three tall forwards, but that would not happen for the game against West Coast at Etihad Stadium on Sunday because of the Eagles' aerial strength.

West Coast has been playing four tall forwards: Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling, Quinten Lynch and a rotating ruckman, one of Dean Cox or Nic Naitanui.

In defence the Eagles are well served in the air by Darren Glass, Eric McKenzie and Will Schofield.
 
"It's something that's come up," Hardwick said of suggestions to play two tall forwards.

"Certain sides are playing three, some are playing two.  The hard thing about this week is with the Cox-Naitanui double it's very, very hard to play with a smaller forward line.

"It's something we haven't spoken about this week."

The competition's leading goalkickers are Geelong's James Podsiadly and Collingwood's Travis Cloke, with 13 — an average of just over three a game.

West Coast's Kennedy has kicked 11 including seven in the opening round against Western Bulldogs.

In terms of numbers, the Richmond forwards are not so far off.  

"We've got no doubt our guys will come through and hopefully deliver a blow this week," Hardwick said.