IT SEEMS most AFL coaches are under the pump at the minute, but down at Richmond, it's happy days.

On Thursday afternoon, the club's players celebrated their boss' 39th birthday by busting into his weekly press conference and presenting him with a cake lit up with sparklers.

Full-forward Jack Riewoldt - a noted prankster - then led the players in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday before they quickly exited the room and headed out onto the Punt Road Oval to start training.

"They're a terrific group," a smiling Hardwick said as the smoke from the sparklers cleared.

"I've got to give them credit. One thing they do is they're always upbeat and that's the great thing about coaching this group.

"They're a terrific bunch of fellas."

Click play on the video above to watch Jack and the boys surprise Dimma