As Richmond prepares for its annual Dreamtime in Darwin clash with Essendon this Sunday, pressure forward Mackenzie Ford is hungry for the chance to bounce back after the Round 2 defeat.

“Losses aren't easy, and it’s early season, so we just back our system in and we back our players to get the job done,” Ford told Richmond Media.

“We won't shy away from the fact that we didn't perform to the best of our ability on the weekend, but we’ll take learnings from that going up to Darwin.

“Obviously the conditions are a challenge in itself, but after coming off a draw and a loss [in the past two Dreamtime games], I think the team's pretty hungry to get up there and get the job done this year.

“The team travels really well together. We love being able to get away and bond, and what better place to do that than Darwin.”

Earlier this year, Ford travelled to Shark Bay in Western Australia along with vice-captain Monique Conti, AFL players and Richmond staff to connect with Tiger legend Michael Mitchell and hear the story behind the 2026 Dreamtime guernsey, which he designed with his daughters. 

“Getting to meet Michael and his family was amazing in itself, and then getting to hear him talk about his community and his culture and the jumper was really special,” Ford said.

“His family were great. We went to some of the living sites where he grew up as well, and that was really cool.

“After learning about the jumper, it makes it even more special and a bit more memorable...being able to wear that jumper with pride and knowing how much work went into it.

“Dreamtime is a great experience in itself, to be able to do all the community stuff up there as well, and for me, being able to go up there and celebrate other cultures is really special.”

Richmond will wear Mitchell’s Dreamtime design on Sunday night against Essendon at TIO Stadium from 7:20pm AEST.