Rebounding Richmond defender Bachar Houli is looking forward to the challenge of taking on ladder-leader Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday.

The Tigers are coming off a loss to Sydney away from home last weekend, and face a second top four side in-a-row, as the season reaches the business end.

"We're focused on a massive challenge this week, and we're ready to take on the Hawks," Houli said.

"We're as confident as we have been against any other side. There has been a massive focus on what we've done right this season, and if we want to become a top four team ourselves, we have to start beating the other top four teams."

"You can't just beat the teams outside the top eight and expect to be a top four team yourself."

Richmond rounds out the 2013 home-and-away season with four of its last five matches at the MCG. 

"We love playing at the ‘G.  It's long and wide and it suits our style of game," Houli said.

Houli added that the re-signings over the past week of Jack Riewoldt, Dylan Grimes and Daniel Jackson, emphasised the close-knit nature of the playing group at Richmond.

"If we want to go places in the future, we have to keep the stars of the team,” he said.

“And, it's great that they were willing to take pay cuts to ensure they are part of a successful team."