Richmond’s players won't draw on past disappointments when they lock horns with Carlton on Thursday night in the MCG's opening match of the season.

The Tigers, who have one win from the past 12 head-to-heads against the Blues, have focused on looking forward this pre-season.

After healing the wounds from their lost finals opportunity last season, the club's first since 2001, the players returned from their off-season break with renewed motivation and dedication.

Find out all about the pre-game activities for Richmond’s first home game of the season this Thursday night

Former captain Chris Newman says they won't look back when preparing for Thursday night's game and are ready to fight the Blues for their first win for the season after losing to Gold Coast two weeks ago.

"It's been well documented about how disappointing it was to lose that final, but in terms of the emotional side of the game this week, we're just focused on playing Carlton in 2014," Newman said.

"The past is past.

"For a lot of the boys it took a little bit of time to get over it in the off-season, but from day one when we stepped into the door we were ready to go and put the past behind us."

Newman said Richmond was expecting nothing short of a tough game from Carlton, who are also searching for their opening win of the season after losing to Port Adelaide in the first week of round one.

Sign up as a Richmond member in 2014 and help bring the roar home

He also said he was enjoying the rejuvenating challenge of playing across half-forward in a move spurred by the emergence of half-backs Nick Vlastuin and Matt McDonough.

"It's something I haven't experienced before, but I've been enjoying it," Newman said.

"It's that half-forward role with the flexibility to go back.

"There's no doubt I'll be on the back flank at times and go through the midfield at times, so I'll have to be fairly flexible as most players do these days.

"It's something that I enjoy, and hopefully I can turn that into some results."