Richmond coach Adem Yze spoke to the media ahead of Saturday night's clash against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

Yze expressed his excitement about the signing of Sam Lalor, Harry Armstrong and more, the bright future building at the Swinburne Centre, as well as the Tigers' plan of attack to quell the Cats this Saturday night.

On Sam Lalor, Harry Armstrong, Jonty Faull, Taj Hotton and Tom Lynch's contract extensions...

"Those young lads that have committed to our footy club while we're going through what we're going through is outstanding. Harry Armstrong, Taj Hotton, Jonty Faull [and Sam Lalor], they're going to be the nucleus of our team moving forward," Yze said.

"For them to commit to our footy club and our program and show some faith in what we're doing, they're going to be a massive part of that.

"And Lynchy signing for another year, helping guide those young lads through the early stages of their careers. That's going to be just as important.

"When you do get that across the line and get that commitment from high talent, it's a really important day for our football club."

On how crucial the contract extensions from young stars is for the Tigers' future culture and success...

"They're committing to our footy club, our program and our team moving forward. Their growth and improvement is going to be the reason we fight our way back up the ladder," Yze said.

"They're driving a lot of the culture and our standards. In the wins we've had this year, they're the reasons why we've done so. It's an important day for our footy club."

On what Yze will tell the group heading into the off-season...

"We've got to do it better than any other team. To fight your way back up the ladder, we've got to have a really strong pre-season," Yze said.

"We've had two years of injury and interruption. We've got to make sure we're leaving no stone unturned. These days, their off-season and time away from the footy club is a long time. 

"What they're doing away from the footy club is really important. It's going to be the foundation for what we do next year. We need to do that as good as any other team, to give ourselves a chance and not leave it to chance next year.

"We need to get fitter, stronger, and hit the ground running by the time they get back in mid-November."

On how injuries have impacted the season...

"You're planning on players being up to 40-odd games, but Sammy Lalor's played around 16 and Taj has played less. We need our players out on the track to fast track our rebuild, but at the same time, our pre-season is going to be really important," Yze said.

"If you have a good pre-season, it sets you up for a good season. So, any sort of interruption is heightened now, because our pre-season is just shorter.

"Our leaders are driving that in the off-season. We need to come back fit and firing to fight our way back up the ladder."

On quelling the impact of returning Geelong forward Jeremy Cameron and matching it with the Cats...

"He's a terrific player. We've got to make sure he doesn't hit the scoreboard and impact the game. If he's a fit player and the contest is there, we'll go as hard as we can," Yze said.

"It's a big game for them [Geelong]. They're fighting for a certain spot on the ladder. We understand they play the ground really well and we're looking forward to the opportunity to play against a really strong team. [We want to play] similar to the way we did against Adelaide, a hostile environment and put on a performance that our Tiger Army are proud of...and finish the right way.

"The boys are disappointed with the way we sent off a couple of our superstars last week. We've got to rectify that...with our attitude and effort."

On how former Cat-turned Tiger Patrick Retschko will match up against Ollie Dempsey on the wing...

"Their wingers are in really good form. We'll have Sam Banks, Pat and Judson Clarke on the wing. We understand the way they play. We get some insight from Pat from being there. Hopefully he's a step ahead," Yze said.

"Pat will be nervous. He knows a lot of the boys. But he's in good form. We expect him to play our way and not get overawed by that and be really consistent with what he's thinking game day and have an impact."