Richmond defender Alex Rance has warned against complacency ahead of Saturday night's Round 22 match against Essendon.

The Tigers are one game out of the top four with two rounds left before the finals, and will start favourites against the Bombers.

But Rance has pointed to last Saturday night, when St Kilda dented Geelong's finals hopes by drawing the match.

"Essendon with the new coach and potentially a new game-plan and things like that, they might have released the shackles," he said.

"So 100 per cent, we can't take anything for granted.

"You saw St Kilda versus Geelong on the weekend, St Kilda really came to play and ended up getting a draw.

"You never know what could happen."

It is two months since Rance ended strong speculation about his playing future by signing a four-year deal.

"It was never really about winning or losing or being successful because I always had great confidence this club was going in the right direction," he said.

"It was more of a personal decision for me as to what I valued and whether I could fit all the things I really value and love in at the same time.

"So yeah - I'm happy, I'm enjoying it."

Rance made last year's All Australian team and said he is reaping the benefits of playing in a solid backline.

"I've found that I can adapt a lot quicker," he said.

"It doesn't take me a whole game or two or three weeks to correct a mistake that I might be making.

"It probably shows the strength of the group that I have around me as well, that can support and really identify the strengths and weaknesses of how we're playing.

"It also helps that we have a good, solid group together - it's not just one player who has to play out of his skin."