Richmond will have to find another gear to compete with the in-form Sydney Swans at the SCG this Sunday, according to defender Ricky Petterd.

The Tigers took the scalp of Fremantle at the MCG last Sunday, in one of their best performances of the 2013 season.

Petterd, however, believes there are still aspects of the side’s game that can be improved.

“On the weekend, there were still a lot of things we need to work on, and if we don’t, we’re not going to be able to show it against Hawthorn and Sydney,” Petterd told SEN’s “Morning Glory” program.

“We had a chat after the game and ‘Dimma’ (Damien Hardwick) was pretty strong on some of the things we need to work on.

“It was more the stuff we can control, like our ball movement and our running patterns.

“We shoot ourselves in the foot a little bit, in terms of the places we run, and we just make it hard for us to score.”

Richmond consolidated sixth spot on the ladder with its win over the Dockers, and it’s now looking forward to taking on the reigning premiers on their home turf in this Sunday’s twilight fixture.

“The boys did a good job against them last year over here, but it’s going to be tough,” Petterd said.

“They’re an extremely good outfit, but I can tell you now the boys are super-excited to get over to Sydney and have a crack.”

Petterd has slotted into Richmond’s improving defensive unit in the past two weeks, following eight games out while recovering from a calf injury and then returning via the VFL.

He amassed 22 disposals against Fremantle, following up his 24 possessions and seven tackles in the Round 16 win against the Gold Coast Suns.

The former Demon, who turns 25 tomorrow (July 24), is relishing his move to the backline at Richmond.

“I’m really enjoying playing down there at the moment.  It’s easier to get a kick down there than what it is up forward sometimes,” Petterd said.

“I have a chat to Dimma every week and he just wants me to be hard and tough, and be hard to play on.

“He doesn’t want anything special from me – he just wants me to be another contributor in the back six.”