The Tigers were too strong for the Hawks, running out 14.10 (94) to 9.15 (69) winners in the 'Healing for Hillcrest' tribute match at Devonport Oval.
Richmond made a blistering start to the game, booting seven goals in the opening term to lead by 33 points at the first change.
With Noah Balta and Jack Riewoldt (three goals each) in top gear, the Tigers extended that margin to 46 points at three-quarter time before the Hawks fought back with four goals to one in the final term to reduce the gap.
Balta, whose 2021 was derailed by an ankle injury, appears set to be pushed forward by Richmond this season from his usual spot in defence.
The 22-year-old slotted two goals in the opening quarter and finished with seven marks, two of them contested.
Richmond's Ivan Soldo sent a scare through his camp when the ruckman came off limping after twisting his ankle in a third-quarter contest.
He had it heavily strapped but returned to the field not long afterwards.
Teammate Dion Prestia spent time off the field with ice on his hand after a collision but also returned to the paddock, while Tigers co-captain Dylan Grimes appeared to cop a knock but also returned.
Hobart-born Jack Riewoldt finished with three goals in front of a sold-out crowd of 8412.
The match acted as a fundraiser for the families affected by December's Hillcrest Primary School jumping castle tragedy in which six students were killed and three others badly injured.
HAWTHORN 2.1 4.5 5.9 9.15 (69)
RICHMOND 7.4 10.5 13.7 14.10 (94)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Lewis 2, McEvoy, Gunston, Breust, Wingard, Phillips, MacDonald, Koschitzke
Richmond: Balta 3, Riewoldt 3, Lynch 2, Baker 2, Edwards 2, Castagna, Soldo
BEST
Hawthorn: Ward, Worpel, Phillips, Nash, Newcombe
Richmond: Short, Cotchin, Baker, Balta, Martin, McIntosh
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Richmond: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 8,412 at Devonport Oval