A "KICK in the backside" from Adelaide last week has given Richmond the reality check it needed ahead of Sunday's clash with Hawthorn, coach Damien Hardwick says.

The reigning premiers unusually lowered their colours in the midfield of the Grand Final re-match against the Crows, with the Tigers losing the contested ball count by 48.

Hardwick said his team learnt a lot from the performance and has them well prepared to take on a resurgent Hawks outfit on Sunday at the MCG.

"The great thing about a nine-day break is we can do a lot of research on why that happened, and we went through a lot of vision on why we got that result," Hardwick said on Friday morning.

"Unfortunately, if you give up those numbers, you're lucky to lose the game by 36 points, to be frank.

"We've always gone with the philosophy you always learn a lot from your losses, more so than your wins.

"It's a good kick in the backside at the right time."

The Tigers' bid to improve their work around the contest will be aided by the inclusions of premiership hard nuts Dion Prestia and Nick Vlastuin.

Prestia will play his first senior game of the year after overcoming a hamstring complaint, while Vlastuin has recovered from a concussion sustained in the round one win over Carlton.

"Dion is a great player and (he) played some good footy last week (in the VFL), so we look forward to welcoming him back," Hardwick said.

"Nick Vlastuin is another player who thrives in the contested nature of the game, so they're going to be two handy inclusions for us."

Debutant Jack Higgins is likely to be the only other inclusion for the Tigers, with the highly decorated junior rewarded for his stellar work in the VFL and on the training track.

The small forward, who claimed the Morrish Medal for the best player in the TAC Cup last year, was bursting with excitement when he received the good news from Hardwick.

"He was at home when I rang, and he drove all the way (back to the club) to get the news, so that's how eager he is, he wants to please the coach," Hardwick joked.

"He's certainly (a) happy (person), he just loves what he does, and he's one of those guys you love to coach because he comes to work every day and wants to improve.

"He's a great addition to our footy club, he gives us great two-way running, wins the ball around the contest and is very crafty around goals."