RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick is refusing to get carried away despite achieving his aim of leading his team to victory over an opponent that's likely to finish among the ladder leaders.

The Tigers went close to defeating top teams Geelong and West Coast in rounds four and five respectively, losing to both by 10 points, before making amends with their 29-point victory over the fourth-placed Sydney Swans at the MCG.

Hardwick was pleased that his team had seen off a challenge from a highly respected opponent before pushing clear in the last quarter.

"What I take most enjoyment out of is beating a quality club like Sydney," Hardwick said.

Hardwick noted that the Swans fought back from a seven-goal deficit halfway through the second quarter to push the Tigers over the next half.

He said it was a trait of the Swans that they fight and scrap during every game.

But he also noted that his team had been challenged during the third quarter and had steadied before going on to victory.

"It was really pleasing to see that when our players were challenged they responded and got the game back on our terms," Hardwick said.

The coach hesitated before admitting he was surprised at the level of his players' dominance in the first quarter, after which they led by 34 points.

Richmond led the disposal count 129-52, a differential of 77.

They had 25 more marks and 56 more uncontested possessions.

"We went in with a plan to control the ball as much as we could, to spread the defence, and it actually worked quite well," Hardwick said.

"Sydney obviously made some adjustments, like we knew they would, and the game tightened up into an even contest.

"It was good to dominate that first quarter. It certainly gave us the break for the game."