RICHMOND will enter its important clash with West Coast next week with confidence despite an error-riddled 29-point loss to Essendon on Saturday night, coach Damien Hardwick believes. 

Hardwick said the Tigers were "flattered" by the end result against the Bombers, having been outplayed for most of the annual Dreamtime at the 'G meeting. 

"It was 29 points, [but] it felt like a 10-goal ball game at half-time. We couldn’t get the game under control at any stage," he said post-game. 

"We spoke about it again at three-quarter time and finally we started to get some handball overlap [in the last quarter]. But it was too little, too late. The game was well and truly over by that stage. 

"We just couldn't get it up and going. We'll go and have a look at the tape and find out why."

But he did have a few answers already, chiefly the Tigers' inability to slow and stop Essendon's rampant midfield unit. 

The Bombers were again led superbly by Jobe Watson, who gathered 28 disposals and three goals in a best-on-ground showing, while Brent Stanton had 38 touches and a goal.

As a unit, the Bombers won the centre clearances 17-7. 

"Their midfield comprehensively outplayed ours tonight, which is for mine the big one. You look at Watson, Stanton, these type of players, they performed very well. Our guys just didn't," Hardwick said.

The loss continues Richmond's disappointing performances against the benchmark sides of the competition, joining defeats to Collingwood, Geelong and Fremantle already this year.

Hardwick wasn't perturbed by the notion of falling down in big games – "realistically every game is a big stage," he said – but did note next Monday night's clash with the Eagles at Patersons Stadium was vital.  

"It's going to be a huge challenge for our blokes," he said.

"We play the ground pretty well so we'll certainly look forward to re-grouping. Sometimes the best thing is to get away … to work on our game, get a couple of things up and going, get the group tight and make sure we play some good footy over there."

Hardwick said impressive youngster Brandon Ellis was unlikely to return for the Eagles clash after being a late withdrawal against the Bombers with a hamstring strain suffered at training. 

Reece Conca is also expected to return after the club's round-11 bye from his foot injury.