THIS isn't the first time Richmond has looked like world-beaters midway through a season.
But Tigers coach Damien Hardwick is adamant his top-four side is tracking towards fulfilling its enormous potential.
The Tigers (9-5) charged up to fourth on the ladder with a gritty 13-point victory over fellow top-eight side Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Hardwick has taken the Tigers to three finals campaigns since becoming the club's head coach in 2010, but is yet to register a win in the post-season.
He believes his side's game-plan, built on the foundation of pressure around the contest and a high tackle count, will survive the finals cauldron.
"It's a different template to what we've had previously so we're really confident it stands up in big games," Hardwick said.
"It's built on the fundaments.
"We've been in every game this year bar one, the Adelaide game (where the Tigers lost by 76 points).
"We challenge the players more and more every week and we love the way they're going about it.
"We've still got a lot of improvement left in us.
"Our best footy, mark my words, is still in front of us."
The Tigers booted eight goals to three in the second half en-route to their fourth win in their past five games.
Star midfielder Dustin Martin would've been almost certain to bank another three Brownlow Medal votes with 36 possessions and a crucial goal in the third term.
"The first half probably wasn't quite to the level that we'd expect, but a lot of that was due to Port Adelaide smashing him around at stoppage," Hardwick said.
"As really good players do, all our leaders stepped up at the end and had really big moments at certain stages, so we're really proud of those guys."
The Tigers also received a handy contribution from debutant Tyson Stengle, the slightly-built small forward booting two goals in his home town.
The Woodville-West Torrens product was taken with the sixth pick in the rookie draft last year and received his chance with Shai Bolton being rested.
Hardwick admitted Stengle – a cousin of Adelaide star Eddie Betts - had exceeded his expectations.
"Early days, if you had said that, I would've said, you're dreaming," Hardwick said.
"He's just a natural footballer.
"He's incredibly smart, he uses the ball really well, he doesn't get tackled.
"There was a time out there on the half-forward flank tonight, he evaded three players and managed to get the kick inside.
"The great thing about it, this is as bad as he's going to be, if that makes sense, he's only going to improve.
"He's going to get fitter, he's going to get another pre-season, so we're really excited with what he's got to bring."
Hardwick said Bolton was likely to return against St Kilda next Saturday night as he planned to rotate his small forwards and manage their workloads.
