Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says his side is still working into top form ahead of their traditional round one match against Carlton.

"We've got some things that are working really well and then there's some things that we've still got work to do (on)," he said after Sunday's 14-point Marsh Community Series loss to GWS.

"We're playing some reasonably solid footy without being at our very best, and we know that hard work is still to come.

"It was up and back, both sides were transitioning really well, but they weren't defending very well, so we've got some work to do in that area.

"We'll look at our defensive system, because obviously we don't want to be playing 'kick and catch' in the back half, so we'll tighten the screws with regards to that.

"It's exciting for us, we know we're not playing our very best footy."

The Tigers now have an 11-day turnaround before the season opener and look likely to have their entire list available for selection.

"Toby Nankervis played full minutes yesterday in the VFL, Jack Graham and Kamdyn McIntosh also played some good minutes," Hardwick said.

"Kane Lambert had concussion today so he didn't play the remainder of the game, but other that than, I think we're a clean bill of health."

Hardwick was bullish about what Marlion Pickett can produce in his first full season as a Tiger.

"I think he'll be a valuable role-player for us...he's a lot fitter, a lot leaner than this time last year," Hardwick said.

"He reads the play pretty real, uses the ball very well, so he'll play predominately through the midfield with stints up forward with as well.

"He's very flexible by nature, so he's going to be a valuable chess piece for us."