Richmond's Will Thursfield admits he is a better player for being dropped this AFL season, and is hopeful the Tigers' tough selection policy has a similar impact on his teammates.

Caretaker coach Jade Rawlings has not been afraid of axing high-profile players in his short time in charge, having already dumped best-and-fairest winners Joel Bowden and Mark Coughlan.

Shane Tuck, another fan favourite, was dropped during the week for Sunday's game against Essendon at the MCG.

Thursfield began the season as Richmond's established fullback, but was dropped - albeit by then-coach Terry Wallace - after the round-one capitulation to Carlton and spent the next two months in the VFL.

Thursfield felt the spell in the reserves worked in his favour in the long run, and said Rawlings had made it clear reputations counted for little when it came to keeping standards towards the end of the season.

"Jade made it clear from day one that everyone's got to live by certain criteria and no one's safe," Thursfield said.

"It's been good and we've been training that way, and it's become really clear, so it's been good.

"Everyone knows no one's above getting dropped."

Thursfield has enjoyed a strong return in the backline despite the Tigers' lean run of results recently, and said while his omission hurt at the time, it had helped him improve.

"I thought at the time it was a bit tough after being solid for a couple of years, but it was good to work on a couple of things and a I think I've come back a better player," he said.

"After getting extended time down there (in the VFL), which was longer than I would have hoped for, you realise you don't want to be playing your footy down there and it makes you pretty hungry to stay on track and improve and stay playing in the AFL.

"Since I've been back I've been pretty happy with my form and I'm just keen now to finish the year off well."

Rawlings' ruthless selection policy is bound to stir the tanking debate given the Tigers (three wins, 12 losses, one draw) can still qualify for a priority pick provided they do not earn any more points.

But Thursfield said the Tigers were desperate to win again for Rawlings, who is in the running to be appointed the club's next full-time coach.

"He's putting so much time and effort in we'd like to win a few games for him," he said.

"We won the first one under him, against West Coast, and we haven't got a result since, but we'd like to win a few games for Jade and also for the group because we're putting in a lot of hard work and we'd like to get some reward."

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