Richmond captain Trent Cotchin insists that the Tigers remain the hunters, notwithstanding the fact they are the reigning premiers and opposition teams get pumped up that bit extra to knock them off.

That Tigerish hunter mentality was on show in yesterday’s clash with Hawthorn at the MCG, as Richmond forced the Hawks into errors and duly capitalised on the scoreboard in now characteristic fashion.

“We love to hunt the opposition – that’s how we go out to play . . . We think that works for us,” Cotchin told ‘ABC AFL Grandstand’.

“If we’re not doing that, we’re not giving ourselves an opportunity to win games of footy . . .

“You try to emulate the same mindset as we did all year last year.”

Cotchin also outlined how the Tigers prepared for the challenges of their rivals.

“I think everyone talks about expectation and weight of expectation, but the reality is there’s 18 teams that go out each week with an expectation to win . . .

“We just try and enjoy ourselves as much as possible and be grateful for training each day . . .

“So we’re enjoying it, we’re grateful for our opportunity to wear the Richmond jumper, and we can’t take that lightly.”