WEST Coast coach John Worsfold predicts Richmond's premiership window will soon open, saying the Tigers are on the right track to achieve future success.

Richmond last played finals in 2001, but has been steadily building since Damien Hardwick took over as coach in 2010.

A series of close losses last year cost Richmond the chance to secure a finals berth.

But at 5-4 entering Monday night's clash with West Coast at Patersons Stadium, the Tigers are in the mix to snare a top eight finish in 2013.

West Coast's future looked cloudy after it finished last in 2010.

But the Eagles' premiership window opened dramatically a year later when the club surged all the way to the preliminary final.

Although Richmond's rebuild is taking significantly longer, Worsfold said the Tigers possessed a good mix of players who had the potential to carry the club forward.

"I think Richmond are on a pretty good pathway to becoming a really top side," Worsfold said.

"Adding (Troy) Chaplin in their back half has given them a good mix down there.

"Their forward line has got good talls as well as good pace, and they are a very good midfield.

"I still see a lot of upside.

"I don't think they're going to have too many players retire over the next two or three years, so I think they have a squad that will be together for another three or four years, which opens up a big window for them."

Richmond has lost its past five encounters at Patersons Stadium, with a late Hayden Ballantyne goal consigning it to a one-point defeat to Fremantle in round five.

Spearhead Jack Riewoldt booted just one goal in that game. However, he'll be looking forward to coming up against Eric Mackenzie after monstering the Eagles defender when they last played on each other in 2010.

Mackenzie was moved off Riewoldt after conceding four goals within the space of 11 minutes, with Riewoldt going on to kick 10 goals for the match in Richmond's 49-point win.

Riewoldt will be helped out in attack by former Eagles and North Melbourne forward Aaron Edwards, who has been selected to make his Richmond debut.

West Coast welcomes back veterans Andrew Embley and Adam Selwood from injury.

The Eagles have won four straight games to surge back into top-four calculations, with last round's 100-point flogging of Greater Western Sydney giving their percentage an important boost.