Richmond must keep fighting through the "frightening" moments of being a winless team together if they're to turn their fortunes around, says midfielder Tim Taranto.

The rebuilding Tigers are the only winless team in the league ahead of Sunday's clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium but Taranto is keeping things in perspective.

"We all rely on each other," Taranto told AAP after last Sunday's loss to GWS.

"We all have our moments where it's probably a bit frightening.

"But you've just got to have some perspective and realise that we're doing a great job and it's an amazing privilege to be doing what we're doing.

"And you've just got to keep fighting because it turns quickly for every side at some point. So you want to be there when it does."

Last year, Richmond won in round one and had two wins in their opening six games.

But Taranto is adamant the different win-loss ledgers don't tell the whole story.

"It's weird. I feel like we're a better team than we were last year, even though we're 0-5 and we got beaten by a few goals," Taranto said.

"It's hard. We've just got to stay patient and wait for that win to come.

"Once you get that first win, sometimes you get on a roll."

Mykelti Lefau kicked four goals against GWS and Liam Fawcett added three but young key forward Jonty Faull has battled.

Taranto expected the forward line to take time to get up to speed, given the lack of experience at Richmond's disposal.

But former No.1 pick Sam Lalor is already making his mark up forward and through the midfield.

"He's only scratching the surface," Taranto said.

"As we develop as a team and start to get on top of sides, whenever that may be, you're just going to see the best of him."

Sunday's match looms as a chance for Richmond's youth brigade to crack in against a similarly young North outfit.

"They all know each other, so they've probably got that little bit of competitiveness between each other, which will be good," Taranto said.

"I love that energy and spirit from the young guys. That's their job - to bring energy and spirit and fight and us senior guys are going to bring the cool heads and make the right decisions out there."

Richmond regain Hugo Ralphsmith and Samson Ryan while ex-Cat Patrick Retschko debuts and midfielder Kane McAuliffe has been recalled.

Oliver Hayes-Brown (omitted), Tom Brown (omitted), Jacob Hopper (managed) and Luke Trainor (omitted) make way.

North (3-2) called upon Lachy Dovaston and dropped Zac Banch.