DAMIEN Hardwick has "absolute faith" in Richmond's playing group delivering success and has put "no ceiling" on what the club can achieve in 2015. 

 

Entering his sixth season at the helm, Hardwick is still searching for his first September triumph after two fruitless finals campaigns in succession.

 

But the senior coach believes the Tigers' maturity and experience has them well positioned to have a big impact at the business end of this season.

 

"I think our players are probably in as good condition and as good form as I've seen since I've been here," Hardwick said during the club's season launch at the Regent Theatre's Plaza Ballroom on Thursday night.

 

"So it's really exciting for us as a footy club to see how far they've progressed. The maturity of our group now has come a long way.

 

"The guys have got an enormous opportunity this year. We think we're a chance; there's no ceiling on how we're going to perform.

 

"But more importantly I've got absolute faith in this group to take us where we need to go."

 

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said the club had "come a long way" in the past five years and echoed club legend Kevin Bartlett's call to the playing group to "dream big" and seize their opportunities.

 

The Tigers open the season on April 2 against arch-rivals Carlton at the MCG, with president Peggy O'Neal hailing the club's return to their "rightful place in the fixture" in the club's 130th year.

 

Entering his third year as skipper, Trent Cotchin was confident the club had learnt plenty from its disastrous start to 2014.

 

The star midfielder said Richmond took a step back when it started 3-10 last year, but "bigger steps forward" after its subsequent nine-game winning streak to reach finals.

 

The three-time best and fairest said higher standards were now demanded at Punt Road during training and on game day.

 

"There certainly is and I think that comes with the maturity of the group," Cotchin said.

 

"We've come a long way and we've been together now for quite some years with the addition of some young talent as well.

 

"But the challenge is to keep on improving and definitely (to have) more control out on field.

 

"We want to win a final but the reality is there's a lot of hard work to be done prior to that.

 

"Most importantly is next Thursday night at the 'G against a team we've had a great contest with over the last six or seven years."