Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is wary of an improved West Coast outfit compared to when the two sides met earlier in the season, as the return match looms at the MCG this Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers were never headed in the Round 7 clash, convincing across the four quarters to win by 109 points.

Since then, the Eagles have added more experience to their line-up, pushing Geelong a fortnight ago, before defeating Essendon at Optus Stadium last Friday night.

"I remember speaking at the back end of the West Coast game last time we played them, 'look out for those sides who are playing them on the way home'," he said.

"They've got their squad up and going now. The last two weeks they've been really good. (They) didn't get over the line versus Geelong, but we saw what West Coast are capable of versus Essendon.

"We're under no illusions. We know their very best is good enough.

"We're looking at them at their best and we've got to bring our best. We've got to play the Richmond style of game we know will get the result."

Star West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui returned from a three-month knee injury lay-off via the WAFL last weekend, with Hardwick expecting the three-time All Australian to provide a strong test for his ruck pairing. 

"He's a game changer, isn't he?" Hardwick said of Naitanui.

"He plays a small amount of game time, but it's high impact when he's on.

"We're very fortunate that we've got two pretty good rucks going at the moment.

"Toby Nankervis, I think is in the best form of his career, and Ivan Soldo is a player that we're incredibly bullish on.

We've just got to try and get more game time into him (Soldo) in the ruck, and it's really, really hard when Toby is playing so well.

"We're pleased with how our rucks are going, and I'm sure West Coast are having the same conversation about our boys."