Richmond midfielder Trent Cotchin believes the split round will aid the players in their bid for a third straight win this weekend.

The Tigers take on Sydney at the MCG on Sunday - a team they have not defeated since Round 14, 2005.

But Cotchin and his young team-mates are aiming to reverse the Club’s Round 3 loss to the Swans earlier this season.

“We’ve done a lot of improving since then.  We’ve worked hard on our structures, and how to beat them, and I think it’s a really good opportunity,” Cotchin said.

“The whole view of the year has been to develop, and to continue to develop the game plan, and I think we’re doing that at the moment.

“We’re trying to keep a level head, and with a young group I think that’s important.  We’re just excited about the back end of the season.”

Cotchin said the players used the weekend off to relax away from the Club and prepare themselves for the rest of the season.

“A few of the guys got away and re-charged the batteries.  I think it’s always good, especially with a young group,” he said.

“The bodies start to get a bit bruised and battered, and it gives us an opportunity to refresh and get ready for the rest of the year.

“Having a little break, you get excited because you see the games being played on the weekend and you just want to get out there again.”

Richmond will conduct its final training session this Saturday April 3 at 11am at Punt Road Oval.

The Richmond Football Club, in partnership with the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, is branding the Round 14 clash at the MCG between Richmond and Sydney to support Landcare across Victoria.  For more information about the initiative, click here.