Richmond defender Daniel Rioli says his focus is firmly on this season and helping the struggling Tigers overcome Essendon in the annual Dreamtime at the 'G match this Saturday night.

"I'm obviously contracted until 2027, but right now I'm focusing on this team and trying to get these boys better," Rioli said.

"Obviously, I'm a young leader myself, I've been in the system for nine years now, so I'm just trying to play happy footy, which I'm trying to do.

"I lean on leaders like Nathan Broad, they keep me in good stead. All I'm focusing on is this year and focusing on getting this team to where we want to go, just to get better every day. Rocking up to the club with a smile on our faces, I don't want to drag in media and whatever's going on in the background noise.

"I love the Tiger Army. I'm not here to talk about what's happening with me, it's a special round, Dreamtime at the 'G, playing against Essendon and we play against them every year.

"I'm not here to talk about my future, I want to talk about Dreamtime at the 'G because it's so special. It's our 20th year and we get to be involved in such a big occasion."

Rioli was speaking at the launch of the 20th Dreamtime at the 'G game, the showpiece of the Sir Doug Nicholls round set to be played against the Bombers on Saturday night.

"My first one ever (stands out). I went to school in Ballarat and used to come to these games every year. I always said to my mates I wanted to play in these games, and funnily enough I got drafted to Richmond and got to play in such an amazing game," Rioli said.

"A couple of years ago, [the pre-game ceremony] was pretty cool when we had the circle around us Indigenous players, and I don’t think it's going to be any better than that. I'm sorry to announce that to everyone, it'll be stock-standard, but we'll show up with a smile on our face and we'll show our community proud."