Dimma's first official press/media conference for 2017 ...VIDEO:
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2017-02-23/hardwick-press-conference-february-23-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With a "sense of freshness" around the club after a raft of off-season changes, Hardwick said he embraced the pressure he would be under in 2017.
The Tigers are yet to win a final in the coach's seven seasons and 157 games in charge, and his contract expires at the end of 2018.
Hardwick said the bar from Richmond was to make the finals in 2017.
"I don't apologise for putting the expectation bar up high, that's the sort of club we are and the person I am," he said.
"It's a pressure industry and we know what we're in for … I know what my job is. My job is to get the best out of the group I've got at my disposal.
"Where that leads us, I'm pretty confident … my expectation is that we play finals."
Richmond is yet to announce its leadership group for 2017, but Hardwick said he was confident Trent Cotchin would remain captain.
The coach said Jack Riewoldt's leadership had improved every year and he would remain a leader in his own right regardless of whether he was promoted into an official role.
Hardwick also addressed the key forward's on-field role and said Riewoldt would play deeper in attack as long as Richmond's ball-use improved.
Moving the ball quicker had been a focus over the pre-season, specifically improving the "connection from half-back to half forward".
New assistant coach Blake Caracella has been placed in charge of ball-movement, with the Tigers' stunted transition from defence last year one of the team's biggest issues.
Hardwick said the recruitment of midfielders Josh Caddy and Dion Prestia would allow star on-ballers Martin and Cotchin to rotate forward more frequently.
Formerly a defender, Nick Vlastuin will also be placed into a group of inside midfielders who rotate forward.
Hardwick said star defender Alex Rance (hamstring tendonitis) would be fit to play during the JLT Community Series, as would half-back Bachar Houli (hamstring soreness).
Source: AFL website
