Here is Richmond coach Damien Hardwick’s assessment of the Tigers’ Round 9 opponent Hawthorn . . .

“At their best, we know how they play.

“Their front-half pressure over their successful years is very good, and that’s the same sort of pressure they’re exhibiting at the moment.

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“But we also know they want to control the ball by foot.

“It’s probably a little bit less at the moment, but it gives a really good template of what they’re looking for and how they want to control the game.

“If we allow that to happen, they’re a really hard side to beat.

“So we’ve got to make sure we come to play defensively . . .

“We’re under no illusions – they’re well coached, well drilled, they’re a well-schooled side. So we’ve got to play our best to get over the line.

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“They’re a side that is in a transitional phase with some young players coming through . . . we’re probably in a similar boat with our side.

“So it’s two sides that are relatively evenly matched with experience and inexperience, and it’s going to be an exciting game come Sunday afternoon.”