Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has defended the form of three-time premiership captain Trent Cotchin during the Tigers' four-match losing streak.

Cotchin had 13 disposals in last week's loss to Collingwood and is averaging 18.8 disposals per game this season.

"People don't realise this guy's been a battering ram for 15 years of his career," Hardwick said.

"There wouldn't be a harder player in the competition.

"People are quick to jump on players - that's the Australian way at various stages.

"This guy is an incredible player and we're not a stats-orientated football club.

"We could have Trent having 35 touches going backwards and sideways, but that's not how we play.

"He plays leading from the front with the way he goes about his actions.

"People will judge him on his performance on the weekend, that's fine, champions have bad days sometimes.

"But the reality is he's a very, very good player in a very good side that isn't quite performing to the level it (can) at the moment."

Hardwick said Richmond had considered moving Cotchin out of the midfield but need him to fill that role with several fellow premiership stars out injured.

"He's had to play that role because our midfield's been undermanned, really, and he was in there on the weekend with Riley Collier-Dawkins and Thomson Dow, who have played 10 games between them," Hardwick said.

"He's expected to lead but also teach and communicate at the same time, so it's a challenging aspect of his career without guys like Dion Prestia, Shane Edwards, Kane Lambert and these types around him.

"But he doesn't complain, he just gets on with it and leads from the front."

Hardwick is hopeful Edwards (ankle), Lambert (hip/calf) and ruckman Toby Nankervis (knee) could be fit to return in Friday night's clash with Brisbane at the MCG.