Richmond’s habit of slow starts to the season might be disappointing, but veteran Troy Chaplin says the Tigers are far from being in rebuilding mode.

The Tigers are 1-2 for the year and face a tough assignment against West Coast at Domain Stadium on Friday night.

“The last couple of years we have been slow, and it’s disappointing that it has become a bit of a thing that's happening at the footy club,” Chaplin said.

“In 2013 we started off well and then dropped some games and probably ended up 50/50, and then the year after we were behind the ledger by a long way, and then last year as well.

“It’s something we can look at, but it's up to the players to bring their performance week in week out.”

Following Richmond’s 36-point loss to Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, coach Damien Hardwick said the Tigers might need to take a half-step back to move two steps forward.

Chaplin said there was nothing sinister in the message – rather it was an appraisal of where the side sat.

“We’re not rebuilding or anything like that, but the reality is we’ve got young guys coming in who have played less than 10 games, and at times you’re going to have to take a little step back to go forward, and that's probably the area Dimma was getting at,” Chaplin said.