QUALITY coaching has been the key factor in turning around Port Adelaide's fortunes this season, according to former Power defender Troy Chaplin.

Chaplin crossed from Alberton Oval to Richmond at the end of last season after nine seasons and 140 games with Port.

He says a combination of healthy, fitter and better-coached players had been the key to their somewhat surprising 5-1 start to the season.

"The boys had a talented list but just hadn't been able to get the guys on the park. Probably one of the biggest criticisms I had was the coaching just wasn't there," Chaplin told SEN on Tuesday.

"And then obviously they've gone out and got Ken Hinkley and Alan Richardson and put some strong money in that area and it's really turned it around.

"Their fitness is obviously really showing because they've been able to run out games. It has surprised me a little bit [how they're going] but probably not to the extent as it's surprised everyone else in the footy world."

Chaplin will do battle with his former side on Saturday at AAMI Park, as the Tigers aim to break their three-game losing streak.

The 27-year-old is expecting some banter from his former teammates and fans but knows there's more important matters at hand for Richmond. 

Comprehensive defeats to Collingwood and Geelong were nestled either side of a one-point loss to Fremantle at Patersons Stadium, and Chaplin said the club needed to put together more consistent showings. 

"Against Collingwood and Geelong, it's probably only been a quarter of football that's really cost us. It's been our own mistakes they've been able to score from," he said. 

"We probably lacked a little bit of composure but I thought the guys against Fremantle in Perth were fantastic. It's always hard to travel over there and win.

"Apart from the last minute of the half where we let ourselves down with some structures, we haven't been playing too bad. We just need to continue to take the game on. We probably go back into our shell a little bit when it starts to go against us."