But the Tigers now face a trip to Sydney to play the highly-ranked Swans as their year hangs in the balance.

For West Coast, next week's bye could not have been better timed – several players pulled up sore after their win at the MCG.

The Tigers were coming off four wins in a row when they ran out onto their home ground fielding an unchanged side.

They are the competition's giant slayers, the only team to knock off ladder leaders Fremantle, so they had some reason to feel confident, or at least hopeful.

Asked how one could combat the influence of West Coast's Nic Naitanui, Hardwick admitted it was hard.

"He's impressive, to go forward and kick a couple of goals as well, just explosive, a couple of centre-bounce clearances were as good as you'll see," he said

Hardwick said he had considered going third-man up against Naitanui, who was brilliant in the ruck and forward line.

"Unfortunately, to get one thing, you've got to give up something else," he said. "In quarter one we brought up the extra forward, but unfortunately, who's marking it down the other end?

"It's one of those ones you constantly battle with. Unfortunately we were on the wrong end of the scoreboard so you've got to change your tactics to come up with something else."

Hardwick said West Coast's zoning behind the ball was as good as Richmond had encountered this year.

"Defensively we were probably just missing opportunities to turn the ball over," he said. "Offensively we gave up the ball a number of times."

Richmond youngster Corey Ellis suffered a groin injury but Hardwick said he was not yet sure of its severity.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson said his players were not surprised by how well they had done this season.

The club's fitness department had worked had to get the team ready and next week's bye would be "pretty timely."

Defender Will Schofield went off in the last quarter after injuring a glute and utility Jeremy McGovern was also hurt.

"I think he's [McGovern's] going to be a big game player for us, but his body's a bit banged up, he's going to enjoy the break," Simpson said.

He said his team had built themselves up for Friday night and he was proud of how they had handled themselves.

He, too, praised Naitanui, particularly his role in swinging the momentum in West Coast's favour.

"With Nic, in particular, doing what he does, (it) gives us the opportunity to be first on the ball," he said.

Opposition teams needed to plan how they would play against the ruckman, Simpson said.

"That's a benefit for us, that you've sometimes got to change what you normally do and your way because you've got Nic, who is so unique. I'm glad he's in our side."