The pain of the 2013 elimination final loss to Carlton is acting as a motivational spur for the Richmond playing group over summer.

“We had an opportunity that we let slip in the first week of the finals, and that's going to sit in our guts all through pre-season, which is only a positive thing,” said the Tigers’ captain Trent Cotchin.

“Leading up to the game, we spoke about opportunities not being there all the time, and to make sure that you play your best footy on the day, and you play your role for the side.  That's been our message throughout the pre-season.

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“Even in our review, we spoke about the majority of us not really stepping up and playing our role on that day . . .

“We really want to attack this season full of steam.  A lot of our guys are really fit, and it’s (about) setting new bars.

“We played finals last season, and that’s the standard now.  We need to play finals every year.

“If we don’t improve on last season, we’d be disappointed . . .”

Cotchin is confident the Tigers can match it with the best teams in the business.

“It comes down to having the ability to play consistent football, four-quarter efforts,” he said.

“We’ve been criticised in the past for playing good halves and not finishing off games, but I think we’ve really closed that gap.

“It’s our challenge now to become the hunted, rather than the hunters.

“We’re looking forward to a lot of different opportunities throughout 2014.

“It’s going to be an exciting year for us.”

Cotchin also outlined the feelings of the Richmond playing group about coach Damien Hardwick’s recent contract extension (until the end of 2016).

“It is great news.  You only have to speak to each and every one of the players, to understand how well respected he is within our four walls, and I think throughout the AFL community, as well,” Cotchin said.

“Our fans love him, our players love him, the staff all get along well with him, and he’s setting a really good standard with our culture.

“We’re in good hands.”