Fremantle midfielders Michael Barlow and Nat Fyfe have rated Sunday’s opponents Richmond as one of the most improved sides in the AFL this season.

After a 10th placed finish in2012, the Tigers have lifted their game this year to currently sit sixth on the ladder, six points behind Fremantle.

Barlow labelled Richmond, which Freo beat by a point at Patersons Stadium in round 5, as one of the form sides of the competition.

“From years gone by, you always see a side come from outside of the eight and really pressure and lift their game to another level and look at top four,” Barlow said.

“Richmond’s probably that side this year and we saw it first hand over here – we had a last gasp effort to get out of jail and get the four points and I think that will be searing in the back of their minds.”

Fyfe echoed Barlow’s thoughts on the Tigers, whose defence ranks fourth in the AFL in 2013 for fewest points conceded.

“They’re a quality opposition and they always seem to play well against us,” he said.

“They’ve got guns across every line and predominately in the midfield.

“I’m sure Ryan Crowley will have his work cut out for him against one of them this week.”

Fyfe said Richmond’s notoriously passionate supporters would also need to be kept in check, and the best way to do that was to get off to a good start.

“Similar to the Carlton Mid Derby on the weekend, we have to try and silence their crowd early and take that factor out of it if we can, because it adds an extra level to their team,” he said.