Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has acknowledged the size of the task that will confront the Tigers when they do battle with the fifth-placed Fremantle at Optus Stadium in the final game of Round 8.

Hardwick, however, is looking forward to his charges rising to the occasion.

“They (the Dockers) play a really good style of game that’s going to challenge us . . . They’re very well balanced in the way they play,” Hardwick said.

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“Offensively, I think they’re a lot more fluent with their ball movement . . .

“Those key forwards (Hogan and Taberner), I think they lead the league in contested marks.

“Their ground balls are strong, which is a constant with Ross Lyon-coached sides . . .

“Their set-up in front and behind the ball is very strong, and their centre bounce is another area of concern.

“Defensively, they’re very strong. I think they’re ranked in the top four for that as well.

“They’ve got (Joel) Hamling down there and (Alex) Pearce. They’re just fantastic and, in fairness, if they’re in Melbourne, they’re getting a lot more credit than what they are as compared to over in Perth.

“We’re looking to improve our ball use inside 50 because Fremantle, I think, have had the least marks taken against them inside 50.

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“So it’s going to be a huge challenge for us, there’s no doubt. But there’s no better place to find out about yourself than an opposition’s home deck against a side that’s going really well.

“We’re really excited about the opportunity it presents to us to play our best footy this week.”