RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says the Tigers' lack of success in recent decades was a driving force behind the club's decision to come down so hard on Daniel Connors and Dustin Martin.

Connors was sacked and Martin was suspended for two matches after both missed training on Tuesday morning because they had slept in.

"This club has been in the wilderness for 20 years," Hardwick said.

"We've got to do everything better than everyone else to get back where we belong.

"We make no apology for the hard stance."

Hardwick said that, in making the decision to act on the players' indiscretions, the club saw an opportunity to set tough parameters.

"Generally, the harder you are on a playing group, the better the results you get," he said.

"I have no doubt, the short-term pain will be worth the long-term gain."

Hardwick said he was disappointed by Connors' letdown because he and others at the club had put in so much time towards resurrecting the 23-year-old's career.

Two years ago the club suspended Connors for eight weeks and late last year it suspended him for 12 weeks, both times because of his behaviour while drinking.

"Dan by his admission was walking a fine line and this was the final straw," Hardwick said.

"I think he knew the decision as soon as he walked in late."

On Monday night Connors and Martin played pool at a friend's house, after which they went back to Connors' house.

Both took sleeping medication. Connors' medication was prescribed; Martin's was not.

Martin said he had got his medication from friend. He took the medication because he was unable to sleep.

Connors was not drinking on Monday night, while Martin drank a few bourbon and Cokes.

Craig Cameron, Richmond's general manager of football, said on Wednesday that the club had no problem with the fact that Martin had had a few drinks.

Hardwick said Martin's indiscretion in taking non-prescribed medication and missing training could partly be put down to his age.

"Most 21-year-olds are up and about and Dustin's no different. We all made mistakes at that age."

He said Martin' indiscretion showed that he could improve in his dedication as a professional footballer.

Martin went for a run around the Tan, the trail around Melbourne's Botanic Gardens, with a Richmond assistant coach around dawn on Thursday.

Hardwick said Martin is expected to do "a mini pre-season" over the next few days before returning to training with the main group next week.

Hardwick said the dedication required of AFL footballers is "not for everyone".

He said the scrutiny on AFL footballers led them to lead "a pretty subdued lifestyle".

He said he had not spoken to Connors since the decision was made to sack him.

The coaches, the administration and the players' leadership group made that decision.

Hardwick said he expected to speak to Connors down the track, but he was unsure when.

As for Martin: "We'll give him some time and space, let him get his head right, let the scab heal, so to speak, and move on."

Martin has been down on form compared to last year, when he finished fourth in Richmond's best and fairest.

Hardwick said Martin had shown signs during the 19-point loss to Adelaide at the weekend of recapturing his touch.

"He's probably been a little bit off compared to his output last year, but I thought his game on Saturday was as good as he's played this year," Hardwick said.

The absence of Connors and Martin as well as injuries and suspension mean the Tigers must make at least five changes to the team that played Adelaide.

Dylan Grimes (hamstring), Jake King (knee) and Daniel Jackson (suspension) will all miss.

Midfielder Nathan Foley, who's missed the past two games with a heel injury, trained during the Tigers' session at Victoria Park on Thursday morning in boots with raised heels.

He changed to runners for later exercises.

A decision will be made on his availability before the team is announced on Thursday evening for the match against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.