Richmond will use Saturday's clash against Hawthorn to trial a two-pronged ruck attack that could become its norm in the lead up to September.
With Ty Vickery unavailable because of concussion, Orren Stephenson has been called on to play alongside ruckman Ivan Maric for just the second time this season.
Leading clubs Geelong, the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn all play two genuine ruckmen and Hardwick said it was an approach the Tigers needed to consider as finals approached.
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"It's a possibility … it's something we've certainly got to look forward to bringing into our game," Hardwick said on Friday.
"Orren's probably overall a better tap ruckman that Ivan, where Ivan provides a better grunt contest so to speak.
"If we manage to get pretty even ruck time and get a couple of goals out of each that'd be a win for us.
"Ty will obviously come back into the mix next week."
Vickery has been carrying roughly 40 per cent of the ruck load in recent weeks, but Hardwick said the club had been considering a forward set up with three tall forwards opening the door for Vickery to be used permanently in attack.
After a six-day break following last week's loss to the Sydney Swans, Hardwick said the club did not consider Vickery for selection following his second serious concussion this year.
Tall forward Luke McGuane came into the team for his first game since round nine, with athletic defender David Astbury to play his third match for the season.