Ally Dallaway didn't expect to lose her place in the team after just one round of football. 

But, when she did, the 22-year-old took the time to reassess and regroup to earn her spot back.

After playing in Richmond's Round 1 clash in the midfield, Dallaway spent Round 2 in the scrimmage practice, before a quick return in Round 3 against Essendon.

"Being dropped after Round 1, it was a tough pill to swallow. I had to look at my game and where I needed to get better and play my role for the team," Dallaway said on Richmond's Moments That Make Us podcast.

"It's obviously really tough, going through being dropped. 

"There's probably two worse things in footy. Being dropped and being injured. No one wants to experience it."

Her return this time around, saw a rebirth, in a new position with fresh expectations on her football.

"It was really hard. It was a real eye-opener for me, to never take the opportunity for granted and to always be really grateful for your spot in the team," Dallaway said.

"Getting the call that I was back in the team, I wasn't expecting that I was going to be on the wing. Ferg (coach Ryan Ferguson) mentioned that they hadn't figured out what was going to happen with the midfield yet, so to be prepared that it (playing on the wing) might happen."

While she had limited time and experience on the wing, it was easy for Dallaway to take her chance and prove she deserved a spot in the senior side.

"I went into Darwin with an open mind. Sure enough, it was confirmed that I was going to play on the wing," she said.

"Coming into that game, I didn't put any pressure on myself. After being dropped, it's very easy to come back into the side and doubt yourself and think 'I shouldn't be here'.

"I'm proud that I didn't have that mindset. I went in with a free mindset, played with freedom. It was nice coming and trying a new position, you don't overthink it."

Richmond takes on Adelaide at IKON Park this Sunday at 1.05pm.