Richmond midfielder Matthew White says the Tigers are putting thoughts of finals football on hold but remain confident of having an impact in September.

The Tigers, who haven't played a final since 2001, showed signs of improvement with a three-game winning streak in rounds five to seven.

However last week's 35-point loss to the Western Bulldogs leaves Richmond in 10th spot ahead of Saturday night's Dreamtime clash with third-placed Essendon at the MCG.

White, who is set to return after missing one game with a shoulder injury, says the Tigers are entering a new four-week phase and aren't looking beyond that.

Richmond face the two bottom sides Port Adelaide and Brisbane over the next month along with Essendon and sixth-placed Sydney at the SCG.

"There's nothing that says that we can't (play finals), but it's not in the front of our minds at the moment," White said on Wednesday.

"Of course if we get there we're going to be stoked and we're going to have a red-hot crack at it.

"But it's eight weeks in, we've won three games and had a draw. We're going in four-week blocks ... and we'll just keep going from there.

"We've got a lot of good young guys coming through and we're gelling together really well which has been a good change.

"The group is coming together a lot better and we've got a new lease on life. Everything is working really well for us."

White said the annual Dreamtime game would be played in a finals-type atmosphere.

"It's one of the games that we really look forward to," White said.

"It's celebrating indigenous culture that we're trying to bring through the club.

"It's going to be great to get 90,000 people there to cheer us on."

White said the Bombers boasted a strong lineup despite having injured skipper Jobe Watson and suspended midfielder Heath Hocking on the sidelines.

"You can't under-estimate Essendon," he said.

"They're two big players who are coming out of their side but they've got guys like (Brent) Prismall to come back in and he has shown form over the last few weeks at VFL level."

Richmond need to keep working on their slow starts after being outscored seven goals to one in Sunday's first term at Etihad Stadium.

"(We were) playing catch-up footy for three quarters after that," White said.

"It's just a mind-set thing."

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